06-Annual-Report-2009

Scouting Ireland Annual Report 2009

Scouting Ireland

Annual Report

2009 Scouting Ireland is a voluntary, non-formal educational movement for young people.

It is independent, non-political, open to all without distinction of origin, race, creed

Scouting Ireland achieves its aim through a system of progressive selfeducation, known as the Scout Method, the principal elements of which are; •

Voluntary membership of a Group which, guided by adults, is increasingly self-governing in its successive age Groups.

•

Commitment to a code of living as expressed in the Promise & Law, the meaning of which is expanded as the member grows towards maturity.

•

The provision of a wide range of attractive, constructive and challenging activities, including opportunities for adventure and exploration both indoors and outdoors.

•

The provision of opportunities for leadership and responsibility.

•

Learning by doing.

•

Encouragement of activity in small Groups.

or gender, in accordance with the purpose, principles and methods conceived by the Founder, Robert Baden-Powell and as stated by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement.

Scouting Ireland encourages the physical, intellectual, character, emotional, social, and spiritual development of young people so that they may achieve their full potential and, as responsible citizens, to improve society.

• An award scheme, which encourages participation in its full range of activities and provides recognition of individual and group achievements.

•

Symbolic Framework

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

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Scouting Ireland

Scouting Ireland wishes to acknowledge the support and assistance received from the

Department of Education and Science Youth Affairs Section Under the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013

Official Sponsors of Scouting Ireland

Scouting Ireland, Larch Hill, Dublin 16 Tel: (01) 4956300 Fax: (01) 4956301 www.scouts.ie

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

Foreword from the Chief Scout

a.

Cunningham, Richard Scriven b.

Supporting Adult Volunteers – John Brennan, Ann Smithers, Ciara Higgins

c.

21st Century – Michael Devins, Julie Malone, Pat O’Connor

d.

Funding and Resources – Niall Walsh, Sean Farrell, Ann Foley

e.

Communications – Joe Boland, Kevin Murphy, Wendy Morrow

f.

Scouting Profile – Eamonn Lynch, Pat Roche, Jamie Gorman

g.

Membership Increase –Michael John Shinnick, Gillian Wharton, Francis Minogue

My fellow Scouts and Friends in Scouting.

2009 was a memorable year for me personally, as I was privileged and honoured to be elected as your Chief Scout at National Council in March 2009. It is a very daunting appointment but I intend to do my utmost to develop this great Association of ours during my term of office. I also hope to hand it over to my successor as a more significant organisation that will have impacted positively on the lives of young people.

One Programme – Kiernan Gildea, Jimmy

The National Management Committee will oversee progress on achieving the objectives and initiate any corrective actions where and when necessary.

Despite the challenges presented by the recession in 2009, Scouting Ireland has continued to thrive and produce some notable achievements throughout the year. A new Strategy ‘Laying the Trail to 2012’ was agreed at National Council, as were age ranges and section names in the New Programme; further progress was also achieved on the development of the €3 million Castle Saunderson Campsite, membership of the Association has grown by an impressive 6.5% in 2009, A partnership has been agreed with An Gaisce/Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to franchise the Award under the aegis of the Chief Scouts Award and a meeting took place between Scouting Ireland and The Scout Association in September 09.

NEW PROGRAMME

During the year, I had the privilege of meeting countless Scouts and Scouters in every Scout County of the Association.

I derived a great insight into the health and strength of the Association through these meetings and it has convinced me that Scouting Ireland is vibrant and strong and its potential to impact positively on the lives of young people is undiminished and that future growth of the Association is assured, as long as we can maintain the momentum generated by the formation of the new Association in 2003.

Following the adoption of the age ranges and section names at National Council, the way is now cleared for the implementation of New Programme, which is the biggest challenge the Movement has faced since the new Association was formed in 2004. I am under no illusion that the task before us is a very daunting one, but I am convinced it can be achieved by good planning, teamwork, cooperation and the ‘can do’ attitude that is being displayed by the Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme), Kiernan Gildea, all the Programme Commissioners, together with the Programme Development Team supported by the professional Programme Staff who have actively worked towards this milestone over the past five years.

STRATEGY ‘LAYING THE TRAIL TO 2012’

The new Strategy which was adopted at National Council in March 2009 contains seven key objectives for the development of the Association. Following a review of the Strategy, it was agreed that each key objective would have mentors who would initially correlate feedback on the objectives which were received following a meeting in Dublin on 16th May 2009, and assign responsibilities and a time line for achieving tasks which would ultimately achieve the key objectives of the Strategy.

The members of the National Management Committee assigned to the seven strategic objectives are as follows: -

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

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The support of all of the Provincial Management Support Teams and all of the other professional staff will also be crucial to successfully achieving this enormous challenge for the Association, especially in the early phases next spring in 2010.

Implementation

I am now challenging the Training, Programme, Provincial and County Teams to reach out and build everlasting dynamic relationships through the process of implementing the New Programme and I am asking you to support, encourage and coach our adults to provide effective, exciting and challenging programme for our youth members. You have a “once in a generation” opportunity and I will not be found wanting in supporting your roles in this.

CASTLE SAUNDERSON

I am very pleased to report that significant and incremental progress on completing the €3.025 million campsite has been made in 2009. In early 2009, contracts were agreed with Cavan County Council for the purchase of 73 acres of land at Castle Saunderson from Scouting Ireland, and with Coillte for the purchase of a new Right of Way for access from the Republic of Ireland to the new campsite.

A steering committee consisting of the lead partner Cavan County Council, Scouting Ireland and the Scout Association of Northern Ireland was formed in mid 2009 to supervise the construction of the campsite.

Scouting Ireland representatives on this committee are:• The Chief Scout, Michael John Shinnick • National Treasurer, Niall Walsh • CEO, Eamonn Lynch • Support Officer Campsites, Damien O’Sullivan Tenders were sought from contractors for the campsite construction and an announcement is imminent on the selection of a successful contractor with an expectation that the campsite will be completed in late 2010. The securing of funding for this major project is not a serendipitous event, it is rather a testament to the hard work and dedication of many personnel in Scouting, and in Cavan County Council with Jack Keyes and his team, who have all battled valiantly against seemingly insuperable odds to bring this project to fruition.

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH

The growth of membership of 6.5% in 2009 is very encouraging Recruitment initiatives such as ‘Bring a Pal’, ‘Retention 101’ , plus the proactive intervention of Provincial Management support teams and professional Provincial Support staff have all jointly contributed to this successful outcome. I am convinced that there is still untapped potential for further growth in the Association, with the roll out of the new programme and the potential benefits it will bring to the holistic development of our youth members, I believe that membership can surpass the 40,000 figure.

Future continued growth will only be limited by lack of focus, creativity and determination to promulgate the benefits of Scouting to the Youth of Ireland.

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

AN GAISCE/DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

Scouting Ireland entered into a partnership with An Gaisce/ Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme whereby Scouting Ireland will operate a franchise scheme under the aegis of the Chief Scouts Award which will challenge Youth Members to achieve their full potential. The partnership with An Gaisce will also enhance the Chief Scouts Award and provide certification of a significant level of achievement for any youth member of Scouting who strives to reach a higher goal.

MEETING WITH THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION

A meeting was hosted between Scouting Ireland and the Scout Association in Gilwell Park on Friday 04th September 2009 and was very informative with a productive mutual transfer of information and the communication of ideas and suggestions for the possible benefit of both Associations.

Subsequently a discussion was held with the National Management Committee and the Northern Province and the consensus opinion was that the Agreement with The Scout Association, on membership of Scouting Ireland Groups in Northern Ireland, in its current format is working well and that Scouting Ireland can work effectively with The Scout Association, within the existing parameters of the agreement.

It was also agreed that the Memorandum of Agreement should be reviewed with The Scout Association in 5 years time, to assess how the agreement is operating at that time.

With the successes outlined above I have had an auspicious start to my tenure as Chief Scout and I intend to maintain this momentum so that Scouting Ireland as a pre-eminent youth organisation, can achieve its full potential.

I remain very optimistic about the future of Scouting Ireland and with the continued support that I have received in the past year from the members of the Association, the National Management Committee (NMC) and the National Team for Policy Implementation and Coordination (NTPIC) and the indispensable support and input that the Association has received from the CEO Eamonn Lynch and all of the Professional Staff, I believe that 2010 and beyond will yield a golden era in the development of Scouting Ireland. Through the effective communication of Scout values together we can lead this great movement onwards and upwards.

Michael John Shinnick Chief Scout

“Through the effective communication of Scout values together we can lead this great movement upwards and onwards.”

- Michael John Shinnick, Chief Scout

Report of the National Secretary It is a pleasure for me to set out hereunder my Annual Report for the National Secretary for the year October 2008 – September 2009. The role of the National Secretary is varied and covers a number of areas of Scouting Ireland.

National Management Committee

The National Management Committee (NMC) is composed of members elected by National Council together with the International and Communications Commissioners who are appointed by the NMC. Its job is to manage the resources of Scouting Ireland. It exercises all powers of National Council between meetings.

During 2008/2009, the reporting format of the meetings changed somewhat in order to free up time for more strategic issues. Reports are received from each standing committee at each meeting of the NMC and this gives us the opportunity to monitor and direct were necessary the work of these sub committees.

Groups or Counties are welcome to raise issues with the NMC, either through me or their Provincial Commissioner.

The Management Bulletin is produced after each meeting of the NMC. It is circulated widely by email and through www. scouts.ie. This bulletin highlights the decisions of the NMC meetings.

During the period of October 2008 – September 2009, the NMC met on 13 occasions. The following is a table of attendance at those meetings.

During the period of October 2008 – September 2009, a

NMC Attendance List

8

Name

Eligible Attended to Attend

Michael J. Shinnick

13

Comment

13

John Brennan

13

11

Michael Devins

13

12

Kiernan Gildea

13

12

Niall Walsh

13

13

Rev Gillian Wharton

13

2

Ann Smithers

13

9

Wendy Morrow

13

8

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

Name

Eligible to Attend

Attended Comment

Julie Malone

13

9

Pat Roche

13

13

Francis Minogue 13

11

Jimmy Cunningham

13

11

Ann Foley

13

11

Ciara Higgins

13

9

Richard Scriven

13

13

Jamie Gorman

13

13

Pat O’Connor

13

10

Noel O’Connor

3

3

Resigned

Joe Marken

3

3

Resigned

Joe Boland

2

2

Sean Farrell

3

3

Kevin Murphy

3

3

number of members of the NMC had to step down as other commitments had to take precedence.

I would like to welcome all that were elected to the NMC at National Council, Chief Scout, Michael John Shinnick, Chief Commissioner (Adult Resources) John Brennan, Ordinary Members, Sean Farrell & Kevin Murphy. I would also like to congratulate and welcome Ann Foley, International Commissioner and Joe Boland, Communications Commissioner who both were duly appointed by the NMC following National Council.

Scouting Ireland online Database

A number of enhancements were completed this year. All these enhancements are fully operational and were put in place to increase the functionality of the database and make it more user-friendly to the end user. The database manual has been updated to take account of these changes and is available to download.

As the database is live, we will be constantly looking at ways to improve it and make it more beneficial to our members. This work will be coordinated by Noel O’Connor, Administration Manager, Marie Dalton, Registrar and myself.

We have spent considerable time inputting vetting details, Award details and start dates for the adults of our association. We believe that some of the details pertaining to Adult Scouters on the database are incorrect or incomplete. I would like to ask the Group Leaders & County Commissioners review this information and make corrections as appropriate.

The data base is a wonderful tool for Groups and I would encourage Group Leaders not to just rely on it at census time but to use it as a tool for running your Group on a week to week basis.

Insurance

During 2008/2009 we have further expanded our policy to provide cover for legal expenses to our Adult Members. This

is part of my commitment to constantly review our insurance policies and ensure we are providing the best possible service at good value to our members. Full details of our insurance cover can be requested from National Office.

National Council 2009 Attendance Province

County

Attendance

Dublin Scout

3 ROCK

12

CLUAIN TOIRC

27

COIS FARRAIGE

5

DODDER

15

DUBLINIA

28

DUN LAOGHAIRE

10

LIFFEY WEST

5

MOUNTPELIER

23

TOLKA

17

Total

145

ATH CLIATH 15

20

CAVAN MONAGHAN

16

FINGAL

21

GLEANN NA BOINNE

27

LAKELANDS

2

LOUTH

21

REACHRA

30

Total

137

BRIAN BORU

14

DAL RIADA

16

DOWN & CONNOR

31

ERNE

7

ERRIGAL

31

Total

99

CARLOW KILKENNY

13

CILL DARA

19

CILL MHANTÁIN

11

SLIEVE BLOOM

19

SOUTH KILDARE

13

WATERFORD

20

WEXFORD

18

Total

113

COIS LAOI CHORCAI

15

CORK NORTH

28

CORK SOUTH

14

KERRY

17

LEE VALLEY

15

LIMERICK

20

TIPPERARY COIS SUIRE

7

National Council

National Council 2009 took place in the Northern Province and once again numbers of participants grew and this was our largest National Council to date. Unfortunately the trend continues of some Groups, Counties and indeed Provinces having poor representation. I would like to once again encourage all Groups to participate in National Council so that you can have an input into the important decisions that are made.

North Eastern

National Council 2010 will be hosted by the South East Province and 2011 will be hosted by the North Eastern Province.

Northern

South East

Southern

Western

The following is a breakdown of attendance, by Province and County, at National Council 2009:

TIPPERARY NORTH

5

WEST CORK

8

Total

129

CLARE

8

GALWAY

12

LOUGH KEEL

1

MAYO

10

SLIGO

0

Total

31

Total

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

654

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INTERNATIONAL REPORT Ann Foley 2009 has been an incredible year for Scouting Ireland Internationally. 3,683 members of Scouting Ireland travelled abroad for Annual Camps, Explorer Belt, Roverway, Seminars, and International Aid Projects. Quite a number of International Scout Groups visited Ireland, staying at our national camp sites and in Scouts dens.

It is a great achievement for Scouting Ireland’s Scouters and Groups who have travelled to sample the culture and history of so many countries.

Provincial International Team

We have asked the Provincial Representatives to set up a team to assist them in running international activities, welcoming International Scout Groups and disseminating information to the Scout Groups.

International Opportunities for Groups

International opportunities for Groups are sent to Provincial Representatives. We have devised an information page to make sure that information gets down to Groups.

and Conferences

The 6th Forum Youth Programme and Adult Resources April 2009 Portugal Attended by: Pauline Lucas, Jamie Gorman, Richard Scriven.

The (Rover Scout Seminar) in Agora Switzerland attended by: David Shaloo and Kate Cowan.

The E-Scout Conference in August 2009 attended by: Venture Scouts from 1st Celbridge, Kildare and 8th Tramore, Waterford.

The Explorer Belt in Sweden and Denmark in July 2009 attended by: 41 Venture Scouts and Scouters Ciara Beaty, Emma McMullin, Cathal Grant and Andrew Ross worked in Kandersteg for three months during the summer of 2009 thus keeping up the long tradition of Scouting Ireland representation at Kandersteg.

Volvo Ocean Race Galway

Half of a million people watched the in-port race and the proam event in Galway Bay. Stephen Taylor arranged for Scouting Activities to take place on the dock area during the stop over.

Life Book

This aid to the International Programme was developed during the year. This will be made available electronically to all Groups.

International Plan for 2009 - 2012

A strategic plan was written and presented to the National Management Committee June 2009 in conjunction with the Strategic Plan of Scouting Ireland

Malaysia Project

12 Venture Scouts and 7 Scouters from the 177th Glasnevin, Dublin Scout Group travelled to Malaysia. They built a Sensory Room at YSIS in Loph. YSIS is a foundation of Community Based Rehabilitation Centres. The Venture Scouts trained for one year learning how to assemble the special equipment and worked with young residents in St. Michael’s House and the Rainbow Arch Club in Dublin.

India Project

Eighteen Venture Scouts from the Rainbow Challenge Group, made up of the 35th Donore Ave, 5th Port Dollymount, and 127th Drumcondra, Dublin traveled to India providing teaching assistance and introducing the Scout Programme to the Loreto Sealdah School in Kolkata. They also travelled to Laitkor Meghalaya and built an extra school room for the local community.

Attendance at European Seminars 10

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

22nd World Scout Jamboree, Kristianstad, Sweden 27th July - 7th august 2011 John Lawlor was appointed Contingent Leader for the World Scout Jamboree. He is setting up a Contingent Team, Interviewing Troop Leaders and International Support Team. He is also working on the extensive Promotion of the Jamboree to all Scouts

WSJ 2011 Planning Team

Christy McCann, Steven Oakes and Stephanie McCann have been appointed to the Planning Team for the World Scout Jamboree.

World Scout Moot Kenya 2010

Garett Flynn was appointed Contingent Leader for the World Scout Moot.

Support

JOTA/JOTI Promotion .

There were two radio stations in Kerry, two in Galway and one in Wicklow for the duration of Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)

2010 • •

I will be reviewing how we deal with camping abroad so Scouters can acquire an International Badge.

I will also be putting in place further promotion of the Scouts of the World Award.

COMMUNICATIONS REPORT JOE BOLAND I was appointed to the role of Communications Commissioner at the end of April 2009. My first order of business was to form a new Communications Team to assist me in implementing my development plan. We have worked tirelessly since then to improve the image of Scouting, raise our profile and improve effective communication throughout the Association.

With the help of the whole team I’ve already taken a number of steps in this direction.

InSIde Out

I have re-launched our Online newsletter “InSIde Out” which has proved a great success in providing information and giving Provinces, Counties and indeed Groups a resource where they can promote themselves. I have also provided digital cameras to all of the Professional Support Staff to assist in documenting activities and events to be included in our publications in the future.

I have met with the Provincial Support Staff to discuss what they need to help promote Scouting within their Provinces’.

This has helped me formulate a plan of action for local Scouting promotional materials and activities.

Scouting Ireland Chat Forum and Website

I have introduced a new and improved chat forum on www. scouts.ie which allows member to register themselves automatically due to its connection with the database. This forum has again proved to be a successful tool in helping Groups and individual members to discuss issues and share ideas and information. The link to the database ensures that only bona-fide members of Scouting Ireland will have access.

This very same connection with the database will also be utilised when our new and very much improved official website is launched in 2010. A company has been selected and the contract for the work signed and work is in progress on the development of this new site with a view to launching it at National Council 2010.

Printed Magazine

I’ve had a number of calls for a printed magazine to be produced and I’ve taken the first steps to see this happen.

My plan for 2010 is to launch a new print magazine on a quarterly basis which will be mailed to all registered Scouters, this will be supplemented by the continued production and distribution of the Management Bulletin and InSIde Out, our monthly online magazine.

I am constantly working to increase the awareness of Scouting Ireland and improve our image with the media and the public.

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Task Force

During the early months of 2010, I intend setting up a Task Force to look at ways Scouting Ireland might respond to the challenges set by the current recession . I want it to examine all aspects including funding difficulties locally ; readiness for the likely increase in membership , as has accompanied previous recessions; retention of staff to support scouting activities ; ways to help adults with more time on their hands; training for interview/presentation/CV skills for all our members young and not so young; and look at the feasibility of making resources of the association available to assist members where presentations are required to secure work. I hope this will benefit our members , and show that Scouting Ireland can provide leadership during times of crisis.

Gone Home

Constitution and Rules Review

A committee has been established to review the Rules and Constitution of the Association and make appropriate recommendations and proposals; and submit a final report by the end of 2010. The review will be conducted under three main elements; 1.

2.

3.

Structure and format Content Governance

This committee has met on several occasions over the last twelve months and the fruits of their work to date can be seen on www.scouts.ie. The committee will be accepting proposals from any member of Scouting Ireland up until 30th April 2010.

National Office

Over the last twelve months, the professional structure has gone through somewhat of a change. Two long serving staff members Bridie O’Sullivan & Sean Farrell both retired, we wish them both well in their retirement. Canice Curtis resigned from the programme staff to take up some new challenges.

We recruited a new Manager of Support Staff, Joe Marken, and a new Administration Manager, Noel O’Connor. Caroline Healy was recruited as a Provincial Support Officer in the South East Province and Austin Dempsey was recruited as Part time Group Support Facilitator in the same province. Kevin Ferguson was recruited as Provincial Support Officer in the Northern Province. At the time of writing this report we are in the process of recruiting a new member of staff for the Programme Team and this position will be staffed in October 2009.

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

To all our members that have ‘Gone Home’ in the last year, for their work in making Scouting Ireland what it is today, we owe them a great deal of gratitude, in particular we remember Joe Lawlor, former Chief Scout, Scouting Ireland C.S.I.

Thanks

On my behalf and those of all our volunteers I would like to thank all our professional staff for their work during the year.

In particular I would like to thank the team at the National and Provincial Offices led by our CEO Eamonn Lynch for their hard work during the year.

As usual I am available to be of assistance to you the members, who have elected me, at any time.

Michael Devins, National Secretary

“ this will benefit our members, and show that Scouting Ireland can provide leadership during times of crisis”

- Michael Devins, National Secretary

Report of the Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme) While not the preferred option of the Programme Development Team, these age range and Section names carried the majority vote in the ‘preferendum’ carried out at National Council and were thus adopted as the age ranges for the new youth programme.

Is mór an taoibhneas dhom, a leagann amach thíos, mo tuarascáil bliantúil don rannóg Priomh Cóimisionéir (Clár na nÓg) don blain 2008/2009.

It is a pleasure for me to set out hereunder my Annual Report for the Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme) for the year 2008/2009..

NATIONAL YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE (NYPC)

The NYPC met formally on twelve occasions during the year with a good representation from the three constituent Groups, i.e. Programme Commissioners, Provincial Representatives and Youth Representatives. Virtually every meeting dealt one way or another with the One programme. I would especially like to commend Scout Claire Murphy for her diligence and commitment to attending and contributing at these meetings.

Following the decision of National Council 2008 to defer making a decision on Section age ranges, lengthy debates and discussions took place around the country. A special meeting to discuss the issue took place in January 2009.

National Council 2009 finally decided on the proposed age ranges and Section names thus – Beaver Scouts Cub Scouts Scouts Venture Scouts Rover Scouts

Following National Council a number of people involved in developing the new programme decided to ‘call it a day’.

Dominic Byrne, Mary Nugent, Brian Doyle, Stevie Oakes and Steven Cull, all put in a tremendous amount of work in developing the One Programme .

In April the National Management Committee appointed three new Programme Commissioners – Ruth Wylie (Venture Scouts), Garrett Flynn (Rover Scouts) and Pauline Lucas (Programme Development).

PROMISE & LAW BADGE AND AWARD

NATIONAL COUNCIL

-

Considerable work had to be carried out to dovetail these age ranges with the programme framework previously approved at National Council 2008. It is impossible to quantify the great work carried out on numerous working weekends held during the year to bring the work to finalisation. Time will tell whether National Council’s combination will work and I wish the new programme well in the future.

6,7,8 years 9,10,11 years 12,13,14,15 years 15, 16, 17 years 18, 19, 20 years

The National Youth Programme Committee marked the 2008 Centenary Year by issuing a special commemorative badge which could be purchased from the OAS. In addition to this a special Centenary Award was also achieved by over 10,000 participants. Small teams of Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venture Scouts and Scouters carried out projects of their own design which included the figure ‘100’. Due to the success of this project a similar approach will be taken to a badge being produced for 2009 – the ‘Year of Scout Promise & Law’.

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT – Dominic byrne / Pauline Lucas If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

John Quincy Adams

To report on One Programme, the single biggest undertaking by any team in the history of Scouting in Ireland – is a great honour. To have the opportunity to lead the team that will design, produce and implement One Programme for our entire Association for many would be a little intimidating, however the calibre of volunteers and their total commitment and

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

involvement in the 18 teams that make up Programme Development have ensured that this role is indeed one of the best at National Level.

I was appointed to this role in May 2009 with the daunting task of filling the shoes already broken in by Dominic Byrne.

After many years of driving forward he decided to take a step back. So too did many of the ‘founding fathers’ of this process – Stevie Oakes, Diane Dignam, Brian Doyle and Mary Nugent (who just took a little step back).I can honestly say without their drive, passion and commitment to the process we would not have One Programme today.

In May 2009 each Programme Commissioner undertook the phenomenal task of preparing and delivering a Handbook for their Section. They and their teams are working tirelessly to produce imaginative, challenging and exciting handbooks.

One Scouters handbook for Scouting Ireland is the challenge for Stephen Carey and his team. With so many changes at National Council, it was back to the drawing board.

From September 2008 to March 2009 within Programme Development we went through a most frustrating time. With no clear decision made on age ranges at the 2008 National Council it was difficult to know where to move forward. Work continued apace on concepts etc., but with so much was ‘up in the air’ it was preparing for National Council 09 that took everyone’s energy.

Comprehensive proposals had been put forward by the Programme Development team in 2008 but these were not to be approved and as a result an enormous task faced the team in April 09. I do believe that many attending National Council believed that as a result of the decisions made the books would be ‘tweaked’ and the new programme would emerge.

This was not the case.

The main decisions made at National Council 2009 were on the number of sections, now five – the names Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts. Scouts, Venture Scouts, Rover Scouts, the ages Beaver Scouts 6 to 8, Cub Scouts 9 to 11, Scouts 12 to 14 (15), Venture Scouts 15 to 17, Rover Scouts 18 to 21, the small team names Lodge Leader, Sixer, Patrol Leader, Venture Scout Executive. These along with an implementation date of April 2010 and a maximum roll out of three years presented a huge challenge to the team.

In essence two stages of development now existed in each section and a total rework was required. A complete rebranding of sections had to be undertaken and a complete new section Rover Scouts had to be developed. A superlative award in each section and a progressive set of nautical badges had to be included. All of this work was needed while meeting a timeline for April 2010.

The nine teams working on the Adventure Skills lead by Alan Carroll now began focusing their energies on consolidating the competency statements and the agreed nine stages for each skill. Excellent work was done in securing recognition and equivalent award with external bodies such as Mountaineering Ireland, Irish Canoe Union and Irish Sailing Association.

Working weekends were agreed for each month (including throughout the summer) and will finish in December 09. A fantastic response to those weekends and in particular by the National Scout and Venture Scout representatives – and many interested Scouts, Venture Scouts, Rover Scouts and Scouters ensured that the work was ploughed through with the best Scouting spirit – even through the heated debates!

Peter Sheehan, for nearly six years, has been working continually on One Programme. His vision, patience professional and creative ability is endless and he has ensured that the Section Identities, all of the Badge Design and sectional branding have been superb.

The area of Special Interest Badges was finalised by Kevin Murphy with five areas of interest and he also began the framework to design a Chief Scout’s Award for each section.

Once again in securing external partnership with Gaisce and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards our Chief Scout’s Award for the Scout, Venture Scout and Rover Scout section will also achieve Bronze Silver and Gold Gaisce/Duke of Edinburgh awards. The opportunity for every Beaver Scout, Cub Scout, Scout, Venture Scout and Rover Scout to undertake a tough set of ‘extra’ personal challenges in the last year in their section will ensure an extremely high standard in this award.

While all of the ‘tangible’ work continued The Master Plan to ensure this One Programme gets to each and every young person in our association was finally agreed. Maeliosa De

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

15

Buitlear (who has stepped into every breach in this entire process) formed an Implementation Working Group. Together they planned with the approval of the NYPC and NMC, the complete roll out – Nationally, Provincially, County and Group.

Their practical and hands on approach of Group Transition Training will commence in October 2009 at National Level by training over fifty transition trainers, with all Provincial training days planned for January 2010. Counties Briefings will follow from February 2010 and Group Transition Training from April 2010 when the books become available. Practical Resources around the changeover have been designed to assist Scouting Ireland with the changeover.

The opportunity to ‘demystify’ the Symbolic Framework brought another challenge to Maeliosa De Buitlear and many contributors around the country. This work ensured that the richness and heritage within Scouting has been recorded for posterity.

Communicating all of this excellent progress fell on the shoulders of Jamie Gorman. Each month he has ensured that through Inside Out and our programme website ww.oneprogramme.scouts.ie the information is factual, interesting, current and relevant.

be joined shortly by Brendan Lynch who will replace him.

Brendan will bring a wealth of Scouting and professional experience to the team – he was also part of a pilot Group so will be able to contribute from both sides.

When nearly a thousand people have been involved in the preparation for One Programme it really is an impossible task to single out to thank everyone – particularly if I forget someone! I have mentioned here the leaders in each of the teams – all of the teams worked hard and very well together.

The endless hours, meetings, miles travelled, thoughts, ideas, debates, discussions all of this has ensured the best possible Programme will be launched at National Council 2010.

NATIONAL EVENTS – Ian Davy

In the fifth year of the National Events Team operating collectively in all sections on behalf of the NYPC, participation has gone from strength to strength. 2009 saw approximately 14,250 youth members participate in 26 events. This figure also includes 6,650 youth members who participated in the Locally Organised National Event [LONE] initiatives (National Sunrise Hike, National Trail Day and National Orienteering Day).

These 26 events were staffed and made possible by approximately 810 Adult Scouters, Venture Scouts and external instructors / service providers.

2009 National Event Awards 1.

2.

3.

4.

Work continues in a number of areas, developing and supporting and programme opportunities with our programme centres, hands on practical tool to assist Groups with the Quality award and the complete review of the programme opportunities contained in our policy and guidelines.

5.

6.

7.

Discussions with the Outdoor Adventure Store around the area of supply will continue up to the end of 2009. With the time period of the roll out as agreed by National Council this brings a serious commercial challenge to our shop. Dermot McMullan and his team though are working hard to meet this task.

Managing all of these teams, meeting deadlines and dealing with all of the volunteer teams, a myriad of external people – illustrators, graphic designers, production houses, doing layouts and all of the six million things in between is where the support of the professional staff really comes to the fore.

Colm Kavanagh, Karol Quinn, Gillian Keogh and Canice Curtis have worked tirelessly on One Programme. When all this is over they will so look forward to getting back Wednesday evenings. Canice has made a decision to move on in his professional life and we wish him every success - we will

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

8.

National Challenge Day – Cub Scouts 1st/2nd/3rd Fermanagh National Challenge Day – Scouts 1st/2nd/3rd Fermanagh The Elements Challenge – Cub Scouts 14th Dublin [Gold Standard] 104th / 144th Dublin [Gold Standard] The National Raft Race – Scouts 1st Wicklow / 2nd Dublin Explorer Belt – Venture Scouts 38 Participants – Certificate, Badge & Belt Venture Scout Challenge 36 Participants – Certificate, Badge & Woggle The Phoenix Challenge – Scouts 7th Waterford [1st & Gold Standard] 3rd Cork [2nd & Gold Standard] 17th Waterford [3rd & Gold Standard] 4th Louth [Gold Standard] 11th Belfast [Gold Standard] 91st Dublin [Gold Standard] 103rd Dublin [Gold Standard] The Tri-Zone – Venture Scouts 120th Dublin

National Event Venues, special thanks

From time to time national events also rely on the assistance from other agencies and charities for suitable venues, such as the Department of Defence, the Zoos and Wildlife Parks, OPW, Coillte, Department of Education among many more. It must be noted however; with special thanks the generosity and kindness afforded to Scouting Ireland by the Columban

Missionaries who facilitated us with a fantastic camping & programme venue on their land in Dalgan Park, Co. Meath, for JamÓige 2009. The Scouting Ireland Community Award was presented by the Chief Scout to Fr. Patrick Raleigh of the Columban Missionaries in recognition of their true community spirit and assistance to scouting.

JamÓige 2009

4,250 Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Adult Scouters and Subcontractors took part in the largest Scouting Ireland Event in 2009, JamÓige, a jamboree for Beaver Scouts (2 days) and Cub Scouts (4 days). This was one of the most successful events in 2009 and was held in Dalgan Park, Co. Meath. The event was themed around Mythical and Mystical Ireland and focussed on providing programme that could be easily replicated by participants on their return home. The event also played host to the first national Beaver Scout overnight camp which was a tremendous success and has set the bar for Groups and Counties to follow.

Beaver Scouts – Stephen Halpin This has been a very busy and unique year for Beaver Scouts throughout the country. From motions passed at this years National Council Beaver Scouts were allowed to camp overnight for the first time.

The highlight for many Beaver Scouts was the JamÓige event in Navan on the June bank holiday weekend. The welcome that the Cub Scouts gave to the Beaver Scouts on arrival for the opening ceremony will remain with me for ever.

The camp was a learning curve for all involved and one of the things that I learned were not to try to feed 600 Beaver Scouts chips as an option for tea.

Many Colonies have had camps during the summer season and many Scouters have expressed delight at how well the Beaver Scouts have adapted to camping life. Many Groups have run Group camps with all sections camping and it is a great method for generating camaraderie and passing on of Scouting skills.

2009 Carbon Neutral Initiative

The National Events Team Environmental Charter was launched in early 2009 in order to assist event coordinators, staff and participants in realising their impact on, and their responsibilities to the environment, when planning, executing and travelling to events. This charter and the team’s constant effort to reduce the collective carbon footprint caused has been coordinated and supported by the recruitment of a volunteer Carbon Neutral Champion to the team. The National Events Team continues to work closely with Coillte in order to assist in education and offsetting programmes for the carbon footprint of events. More information in relation to this will be published in 2010.

A lot of the focus this year has been working on material to support the One programme. We are all looking forward to the challenge of the One programme as the rollout of implementation training starts. The three strands of the programme need to be used together in order to gain the maximum benefit. 1. The personal journey 2. Adventure Skills, 3 Special interest badges.

Looking Forward – 2010

National Events in 2010 will be designed and executed in order to support and assist members in familiarising themselves with ONE Programme. Many new programme ideas and structures are incorporated into the calendar. A narrative of the events can now be found on the website along with the specific event information packs being launched over the course of 2010.

Based on the increased success of LONE initiatives, although they do not appear on the 2010 calendar of events, a series in line with the SPICES will be launched in spring 2010.

As with everything in Scouting, National Events being no exception, assistance of Adult Scouters and Rover Scouts (and in some instances Venture Scouts) is required. Help is needed to run everything that is on the calendar of events for 2010; if you are interested in helping out please email events@ scouts.ie.

During the year I or my team has attended NYPC meetings, National Council, animal awareness days in Dublin and Belfast and various Provincial and Scout County events and JamÓige.

Each month in the on-line Scouting magazine, InSIde Out, there has been an article about Beaver Scouts. Some of the articles are to showcase events; others are to give programme ideas. I have received a lot of positive feedback on some of the articles and some colonies have implemented some of the programme ideas.

Because of the success of JamÓige, the Beaver Scout team looks forward to the National Beaver Scout Camp in 2010. The concept will be for a national camp run by the campsites in each of the Provinces in the future. We aim to run the first camp in Larch hill in June of 2010 and in 2011 run a camp in Larch Hill and Mount Melleray.

If you have any queries regarding Beaver Scouts please email me on beaverscouts@scouts.ie

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

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Scouts Morgan O’Sullivan The year that passed was a very busy year with the development of the scout Handbook. The Scout Team and the National Youth Representatives, Scouts attended eight of the working weekends hosted by the Programme Development Team. The interaction between all of the teams on the weekends was both helpful and beneficial to all on the Scout Ream to help them gain a better understanding of the One programme five section concept.

Cub Scouts Annette Byrne

The Youth Forum was held in April, with the current Youth Representatives being elected, they have since been an integral part of the development of the Scout handbook. The Youth Representatives have also been very active in helping to design the badges for the Scout Section.

The past year has been both busy and eventful for me as Programme Commissioner for Cub Scouts. Firstly I must say that I have been both enthused and enthralled by the spirit and enthusiasm that I have been met with, from both Cub Scouts and Programme Scouters alike. Hail, rain or snow (Cub Scout Challenge Day!) and the occasional burst of sunshine Cub Scouts have taken part in a variety of activities both locally and nationally. Local events included orienteering days, camp outs, Sun Rise hikes, talent shows and community based events such as Easter Parades. On a National level I have met Cub Scouts and their Scouters at chilly challenge days in Maynooth, hot sunny days at the Elements in Larch Hill, and jammed with them at JamÓige in Dalgan Park! I have met some of the most inspiring and energetic people ever.

Since December 2008 we have established a “Cubs Corner” in the monthly online magazine “InSIde Out”. Every month programme ideas and themes were published to assist in programme planning and support. From Reduce, Reuse & Recycle initiatives to Sixer Councils you will find that they have been included in the Cubs Corner.

Following decisions made at National Council, a huge body of work was necessary to develop the Cub Scout Handbook for delivery in the first quarter of 2010. The Cub Scout Programme Team have spent many weekends working in Larch Hill together with the Programme Development Team and I am delighted to say that we are on target for our delivery date. We are set to offer the Cub Scouts a challenging and innovative approach to Cub Scouting ……. stepping into a new centenary of Scouting!

VENTURE Scouts – Steven cull / Ruth Wylie It has been a busy six months since I was appointed Programme Commissioner for Venture Scouts at the end of April. In that short space of time I have attended a number of major Venture Scout events both home and abroad, I have seen off a contingent of Irish Venture Scouts to a major European Venture Scout gathering, witnessed a number of firsts for Irish Venture Scouts and of course spent endless hours working on the new programme!

The following is just some of the flagship National Events for Venture Scouts that took place during the summer months.

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

Explorer Belt 2009

This took place in Sweden & Denmark from the 11th of July until the 26th of July. 20 teams of 2 from across the Country took part this year Explorer Belt. The added addiction of Personal Challenges this year based around the SPICES, made the expedition a lot greater for the personal development of the Venture Scouts that took part. All teams received the 3 awards, Certificate, Badge and The Explorer Belt for the first time in a number of years. To the Venture Scouts that took part, you should be very proud of your achievement.

years. However I am sure it will be well worth all the effort and I look forward to the One Programme being delivered to our membership in the coming year.

Venture Scout Challenge 2009

The Challenge took place in Cork & Kerry from 15th of August to the 22nd of August, 19 teams of 2 from across the Country took part in this year Venture Scout Challenge and once again a great Venture Scouting event was had. Personal Challenges based around the SPICES, where introduced to Challenge for the first time also and yet again proved to be a great task for the Venture Scout to set themselves. Teams received the Certificate, Badge and Woggle in a very different ceremony by the Lake . To the Venture Scouts that took part, you should also be very proud of your achievement.

Ventact South 2009

This took place in Kilcully Campsite in Cork on the weekend of the 4th to 6th September. As always this event drew large numbers, with over 500 Venture Scouts traveling from all parts of the country. Well Done to Tony Nation and his team for providing a great start to the Scout year that was enjoyed by all.

ROVER Scouts – Garrett Flynn

In March 2009, National Council voted to make Rover Scouts a reality in Scouting Ireland. An opportunity to make Scouting relevant to a whole new segment of the population has opened up.

There are over 250,000 people on the island of Ireland aged between 18 and 21 years. These people have a vast range of activities and pursuits open to them. If, as an association, we can tempt just 2% to join us, we will be adding 5,000 enthusiastic young adults to our Association.

Roverway 2009

While benefiting from the final stage of our youth programme, these people will also be able and no doubt willing to make a contribution to the work we undertake with younger programme sections through the service element of the Rover Scout progress scheme.

Also a group of sixteen Venture Scouts and Rover Scouts from the 35th Dublin Donore Avenue, the 127th Dublin Drumcondra and the 5th Port Dollymount on the November 14th 2009 become the first Scouts from Scouting Ireland to receive the Scouts of the World Award. The Rainbow Challenge saw this Group spend three weeks in North-East India, working in partnership with the Sisters of Loreto. There they established a Scout Group in a school for orphaned street children in Kolkata and built new classrooms for another school in a poor rural community in the Meghalaya region. The Group was presented with their Scouts of the World Award badges and certificates by the Chief Scout, Michael John Shinnick and to all involved Scouting Ireland is immensely proud of them.

The key to success with Rover Scouts will be Flexibility.

People at this age are undergoing dramatic change in their lives. On the cusp of entering adulthood, starting college or beginning a career, often changing home and establishing a completely new social circle – Scouting can offer supports, values and above all strong friendships to help a young person navigate these changes.

Much of my own time has been spent working on the One programme. Working weekends have taken place once a month since April, with many other meetings taking place on Wednesday evenings in Larch Hill. It has been a very intense process, all the more so as I had to bring myself up to speed with all the work that had been done over the previous four

The dividend to Scout Groups who create the conditions for Rover Scouts to flourish and who offer real support to the Rover Scout Crew and its members will be significant: a constant flow of Scouters into the future – and not just any Scouters – these will be skilled, focused, familiar with Scouting and its ideals and will recognise the support that

Held in Iceland, saw almost 40 Irish Venture Scouts join up with 3000 Venture Scout and Rover Scouts from all over Europe from 19th to 28th July. This event proved to be a great experience for all who travelled.

If Rover Scouts can combine the fundamentals of Scouting with the flexibility that people aged 18-21 need in life, then we will have the makings of something great that people will want to be a part of. We believe we have managed to achieve this.

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

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they have received through Scouting and thus understand the value of what they are passing on to younger members.

The Rover Team have been travelling all over Ireland since April, talking to potential and future Rover Scouts from within Scouting and from outside – there is a big appetite for a challenging programme for people aged 18-21.

The Rover Team will be here to support Scout Groups who have the vision to seize the opportunities that Rover Scouting offers. We believe we have developed a programme that will meet and exceed expectations – we now need Scout Groups and Scout Counties to make Rover Scouting a reality where it counts – in your local communities.

WATER ACTIVITIES & SEA Scouts – Stephen Taylor

The Dublin Boat Show was held at the RDS from 18 to 22 February, With other organisations concerned with nautical training, the Sea Scout Stand was situated in the Irish Sailing Association area. Our exhibition showed a good cross section of activities - canoeing, rowing, dinghy and day-boat sailing, coastal and offshore cruising, as well as camping, hiking and mountain walking. We are very grateful to Pat Hollingsworth,

The re-vamped ISA Sailing Scheme will be very beneficial to Scouting, giving young people who are not interested in racing, the chance to get ISA certification up to instructor grades.

The Seminar in the Burlington also led to an unexpected adventure. Ocean Youth Trust (Northern Ireland) representatives approached the Sea Scout representatives on Saturday with a request. Their training vessel, “Lord Rank”, was due to start a 5 day cruise on Monday, but problems had arisen with availability of trainees for the crew – could the Sea Scouts help, and get a crew to Bangor by 11.00 am on Monday? Not an easy task to organise on a Saturday evening, However, 9 Sea Scouts in Transition Year, from Rosses Point, Dollymount and Dun Laoghaire, joined the “Lord Rank” on the dot of 11am on Monday, and had an amazing 5 days of sailing, visiting the Scottish island of Islay, being “buzzed” by 2 low flying jets, and being stopped by a Customs patrol!

Sea Scouting and Water Activities personnel were involved, in conjunction with European Scouting representatives in the shore-based activities related to the Volvo Ocean Race festivities in Galway in June.

To coincide with the arrival of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge in Belfast in August a special “Small Ships Race” was organised from Greenock on the Clyde to Belfast. Three yachts crewed by Sea Scouts and Scouters, sailed from Dun Laoghaire to the Clyde, and took part in the race and the festivities. With some crew changes in Greenock and in Belfast, 22 Scouts and 8 Scouters took part in at least one leg of the cruise/race.

The Scout Association, celebrated the Centenary of the start of Sea Scouting in 1909 with a centenary Jamboree at the National Water Activities Centre, Holme Pierpoint. Irish Sea Scouts were represented by 15th Port of Dublin (Donabate).

who kindly arranged a large plasma screen to show slides and videos. The stand was manned by a rota of Scouters and senior Scouts from different Groups.

The National Water Activity Centre, Killaloe, added another activity to its programme during the year with the addition of a 4 oared East Coast skiff to its fleet, kindly donated by a Dublin Sea Scout Group. This boat will be very useful to the Sea Scout SIG (Special Interest Group), based in Killaloe, as well as to visiting Scouts who would like to try their hand in a four-oared craft.

In March, four Scouting Ireland Sailing and Powerboat Instructors attended the ISA Instructors Seminar in the Burlington Hotel. The ISA unveiled its new Sailing Scheme, including the addition of “adventure sailing” categories for the first time. This idea had been discussed with Scouting Ireland instructors at a course in West Cork a year earlier.

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

We are sad to record the death of a very good friend of Scouting, Ernie Lawrence, who died in August, in France where he and his wife had gone to retire a couple of years ago. Ernie, a former President of the Irish Canoe Union, had been pivotal in the establishment of a canoe training system in Scouting many years earlier, a scheme which led to the publication of the first Scout Canoe Logbook, and subsequently to the “Blue Book” - the combined SAI, CBSI, IGG and CGI canoe training programme. He had also set up a factory to manufacture fiberglass canoes. He designed the “Sprite” kayak and this made its first public appearance on the Sea Scout stand at the boat Show of that year, and became the standard canoe used in Scouting for many years.

The Dublin Sea Scout Regatta was held in Dun Laoghaire early in September, and this year had probably the largest participation and attendance ever. Estimates of participants, organising staff, parents and friends was 300 – 400.

The Dun Laoghaire Group Committee sold ice cream and burgers and raised €638 for the RNLI.

Province/County/ Group.

All in all it has been a good year and developments and improvements continued to be made at all campsites. A total of €30,500 was given by the Association by way of grants to 16 campsites to support them in capital projects that they had undertaken. The purpose of the grants is to continue to improve the facilities available at our campsites for the benefit of our members who visit them. All campsites reported an increase in usage during the year, which is a welcome trend that will continue in the coming year.

The Junior Seamanship competition for the Hamill Cup was held in Howth, and the local Troop, 7th Port, won the trophy.

The Senior Seamanship competition for the Fry Cup was held in Dun Laoghaire, and was won by 9th Port, Malahide. The long distance skiff race across Dublin Bay was won by 5th Port, Dollymount.

The Scout Liffey Canoe Race was held on 27 September.

There was a very good turnout of entries, and the overall trophy was won by 32nd Limerick (St.Pauls).

The Castle Saunderson project continues on course. At time of writing this report an independent panel is assessing tender submissions from three bidders for the development contract. It is expected that the contract will be awarded early in the New Year, with construction commencing immediately following the contract award. If everything goes to plan I anticipate that I will be reporting on the opening of the new centre in the next annual report.

I would encourage all our Scout Groups whenever possible to avail of our Scout campsites/centers. The campsites/centers depend on income generated at the campsites to continue to maintain and improve these valuable Scouting venues.

The Capt. Desmond Fortune Trophy, presented by the Irish Association of Master Mariners, was held in Howth Sea Scout den, and was won by Briony Cameron of 8th Port, Dun Laoghaire. Briony’s prize will be a week’s cruise in a sail training vessel.

The very popular Malahide Triathlon, run by 9th Port Malahide was held on Sunday 4th October. Teams of 3 compete in different age Groups. The first team member swims 80 meters, the second canoes 500 meters and the third runs 500 meters.

Scouting Ireland Sea Training, based at Dun Laoghaire Sea Scout Den, is an ISA recognised Training Centre. Six powerboat courses were run during the year. Coastal navigation courses are held every year from September to March.

CAMPING – Damien O’Sullivan, Campsite & Facilities Manager

Scouting Ireland has 30 campsites spread throughout Ireland.

Four of these, Larch Hill Scout Centre, Killaloe Water Activity Centre, Mount Mellaray Scout Centre and Lough Dan Scout Centre are directly owned by the Scouting Ireland, and are managed by a team of volunteers under the direction of a volunteer Camp Chief who is appointed by the National Management Team.

The remainder of the campsites/centers, 26 in total, are owned/leased either by individual Scout Counties or Scout Groups, and managed by volunteers appointed by the Scout

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CAMPSITES – SMALL GRANTS SCHEME The following small grants were approved and paid in 2009: Rosses Point €2,500 Shower/Wet Room facilities and perimeter fencing Ruan Scout Centre €1,200 Painting toilet block interior Glenshelane €1,000 Shower block and kitchen improvements Fota Island Scout Centre €2,500 Portacabin shower block unit Collon Scout Centre €2,000 Fit out of new log cabin Mount Melleray €2,500 Installation of showers Kilcully Scout Centre €2,300 Replacement of gas boiler Lough Keel Scout Centre €1,500 Refurbishment and upgrade works Inistigoe Campsite €2,500 New entrance gate and paint toilet block Lough Dan Scout Centre €1,500 Fencing of storage area, Eco Hut and security lights TOTAL

€19,500

The following grants were approved in 2009 but payment was postponed until 2010 due to financial constraints: 3rd Monaghan Campsite €1,500 Development of orienteering and nature trails Clara Scout Centre €1,000 Fitting out new toilets Glendale Lodge €1,500 Replacement of decking Srahan Scout Centre €2,500 New boilers, outside lights, internal wiring, showers Piercestown €2,500 Campsite development Bog o’ the Ring €2,000 Construction of campfire circle TOTAL €11,000 I am particularly proud that this small grants fund was established during my tenure as I have found that these small amount of funding go a long way on local County and Group campsites.

AND FINALLY Other commitments….

As well as commitments arising from involvement in the National Youth Programme Committee, I attended meetings of, and contributed to the work of, the following Committees during the year:

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

• • •

National Team for Policy Implementation & Coordination (NTPIC) Child Protection Management Team (CPMT) Awards Committee (a pleasure to deal with and a great honour to be a member of)

And so, as I have said at the end of each Annual Report….

“In a changing society, as soon as we stop changing, we start to go backwards.”

Thank you for the privilege of serving you as Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme) for nearly six years.

Kiernan Gildea Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme)

“In a changing society, as soon as we stop changing, we start to go backwards.’”

- Kiernan Gildea, Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme)

Report of the Chief Commissioner (Adult Resources) Adult Resources

The National Adult Resources Committee has been reorganised to ensure it supports the needs of the Adults within Scouting Ireland. It will cover the following areas.

• Awards • Conflict Management • Recruitment • Publications • Special Needs • Training • Special Projects • Diversity • SQS

Awards

Diversity

There has been a fundamental review of the award scheme following extensive consultation with interested parties. The outcomes will be published in January 2010

We are encouraged by the NYCI document on diversity and look forward to working with them and integrating these concepts into Scouting Ireland.

Conflict resolution

Training

This will be managed in the Provinces by the NARC representative and a small group of advisors whose function is to resolve conflict at local level quickly. The NARC now will provide a service to the adults in a number of areas. I have dealt with a significant amount of disputes, that could have and should have been dealt with at local level. I would encourage you to try and deal with these disputes locally; your PSO will be able to advise and support you with this.

SQS

A review of SQS has taken place. The outcomes will be discussed further with the Provincial Management Support Teams throughout the country to ensure that it is fit for purpose. This will be launched at the Group Leader Commissioner conference in October 2010.

Group Leader / Commissioner Conference

The first of a trilogy of conferences has taken place, and has been a great success. I would like to build on this success by encouraging all Group Leaders and County Commissioners to attend this conference. The thrust of these conferences is to equip County Commissioners and Group Leaders with the skills to run their counties and Groups in a more effective and efficient manner.

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

It continues to be a source of disappointment that we have not yet received FETAC approval for the Woodbadge Scheme. All the work by ourselves and our advisors has been completed since early 2008 and at this time I have been advised that it is under review with FETAC.

Larch Hill Reunion

The Larch Hill Reunion has become a firm fixture in the Scouting Calendar. This is an opportunity for our adults to have a Child free weekend, to meet with old friends and maybe learn a few new skills, to discover talents they never knew they had and to enjoy themselves in a Scouting setting.

Special Needs

Since the conference in Croke Park a small group of Scouters have worked on developing a support pack for Scouters who work alongside children with special needs. This group all FETAC qualified have drawn on best practice from Australia, Canada , America and the UK. The programme will be launched on Founders Day 2010.

The Future

We’ve come a long way in five years but have some distance to go before we can say we are Scouting Ireland. We carry within SI great traditions and great achievements but the focus for us adults must be to capitalise on these achievements and traditions so that we bring to young people

every possible opportunity to immerse themselves in the SPICES and become the future generation of leaders and civic minded citizens as a result. I close by using a saying I once heard a great Scouter say “nothing will ever be accomplished if all objections must be first be overcome”.

Training Commissioner fIONA MCCANN My term as Training Commissioner started in October 2008 as a temporary position until National Council 2009 and I was delighted to be appointed again in April to complete a 3 year term. This is probably one of the most exciting times to be at the helm of training with the advent of the One Programme starting in April 2010 and a role which I relish.

Reaching new heights

As each of the Provincial reports shows, training has reached new heights in 2008/09 with record numbers of Scouters attending training experiences all over the country.

The key players in managing training in each of the Provinces are the Provincial Training Coordinators who work tirelessly to ensure training is being delivered in their Province.

Enda Downey who stepped down recently has been progressing training in the Southern Province for the last number of years, I wish Enda all the best in his future Scouting endeavours.

Training for Trainers

Autumn 2008 saw another ‘Training for Trainers’ course being delivered with a great crew of Scouters attending this course, they showed their true potential in developing their training skills – with another 22 Scouters taking up the training mantle and I’m delighted to say most are actively working in their Provinces.

This year, a group of trainers reviewed the ‘Training for Trainers’ course content and have designed a new, more intensive course, over 2 weekends which will be piloted in the autumn of 2009.

Trainers Conference

The start of 2009 was the time for the Trainers Conference which was held in the Crowne Plaza hotel in Dundalk. The theme of the conference was ‘Doing it … Better!’. We had very good attendance with about 55 trainers from all Provinces. The conference was opened by the North Eastern Provincial Commissioner Jimmy Cunningham. The Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick said a few words which served to enthuse and motivate trainers to take the ‘train’ and deliver the message. The keynote speaker was Pat Kennelly, Operations Director Instant Upright Ltd, whose presentation was around ‘Innovation – An Industry Perspective’ and who spoke about the rate of change and what are the motivations and barriers to innovation. There were some breakout sessions during Saturday and overall the conference looked at pushing trainers to become the innovators and the ones facilitating the change. A tremendous opportunity presents itself over the next year and trainers should be ready to grab it with both hands.

One Programme – Transition Training During 2009 a team of trainers from every Province volunteered to deliver transition training. The transition training methodology and programme has undergone many reviews and the final version has now been tried, tested and approved.

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Objectives for 2010

The key objectives for 2010 are in line with the Scouting Ireland Strategy – ‘Laying the trail to 2012’ document and will cover : 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Roll out of the transition training for One Programme Update trainers on the new Woodbadge Scheme Launch the new Woodbadge Training Scheme Deliver practical Scout skills within the Woodbadge Scheme and facilitate a best practice approach to providing skills workshops locally Identify areas of learning outside the Woodbadge Scheme and support/resource these opportunities.

I look forward to an exciting and productive 2010.

Woodbadge Review

Nationally the Training Team undertook to complete a full review of the Woodbadge scheme to ensure it meets the needs of adult volunteers in Scouting Ireland moving forward with One Programme and the changing times we live in. This work was started during the year and the team look forward to the launch of the new scheme early in 2010. The key focus of the review was ensure the best possible content and methods are applied to ensure good training experiences for all adults in Scouting Ireland.

Child Protection Training

Another success story of training over the last few years is the roll out of the Child Protection Awareness Training in conjunction with the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) and I wish to congratulate all the child protection awareness trainers in Scouting Ireland on all the work they have done and again on the on-going delivery of this very successful module. The NYCI has commenced the assessment and accreditation of Child Protection Awareness Trainers in Scouting Ireland which we welcome.

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

John Brennan Chief Commissioner (Adult Resources)

“We’ve come a long way in five years but have some distance to go before we can say we are Scouting Ireland.”

- John Brennan, Chief Commissioner (Adult Resources)

Report of the National Treasurer All in all, the financial health of Scouting Ireland is still relatively good but worsening but not to the extent expected.

We had forecast that the government grant would fall significantly in 2009/10 but it appears that the fall will not be as high as we expected. The biggest issue for Scouting Ireland in the current environment is the management of cash flow with cash flow becoming difficult in the September through December time frame. This situation will continue and the incoming National Treasurer will have a challenge ensuring that the Association does not end up with cash difficulties. SI is in a good position as there were no borrowings at the end of September and a positive cash position after borrowing money from the retail operation in November.

The 2008/9 year is another where the budgets approved were not spent by all areas and income was higher than originally forecast. This is both good and bad for Scouting Ireland. We are living within our means but are not maximising what we can give to our members. This is, of course, a better position to be in than one where we are spending too much as we do not have to reduce the services we provide for our members or to lay off staff.

Income and Expenditure

We had prepared a break-even budget for the year, forecasting that Scouting Ireland would not have a surplus but this was not the outcome. We unfortunately had a surplus of €158,477. The key contributors were the increase in income from government grants resulting in a grant income €1,157,691 down from €1,222,304 for the nine months in 2008 and our membership fees growing to €1,434,155 from the twelve month equivalent of €1,400,773 in 2008 (€1,050,580 for the nine month period).

Our expenditure across a number of headings was lower than budgeted. One significant matter is that staff costs were maintained at approximately the same level, moving from €123K per month in 2008 to €129K per month in 2008/9. In 2009 the FAS Community Employment Schemes moved from Scout Campsites Management Limited to Scouting Ireland as a precursor to the close down of the campsites company.

Spending

Each year I am asked for a breakdown of the membership fee and an indication of where it is spent. As the membership fee is not allocated to specific costs, this is not possible. In other words it is not possible to say that x euro of the membership fee goes on insurance or on salaries, etc. What is possible is a breakdown of where all of the income of Scouting Ireland is spent and an analysis of what that total income was spent on.

The following table provides the available information.

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

Cash Flow

Our cash flow was weak with a capital expenditure of €43,000 and cash consumed in operations of €208,000. This is not causing significant problems currently as we have very little borrowings with financial institutions. Care is required as Scouting Ireland’s costs are increasing and will need to be managed particularly in light of potential cuts in funding over the next couple of years.

Finally

This is my last report as National Treasurer. I am happy to leave the role as Treasurer with Scouting Ireland in a better financial position than it was when it was formed and wish my successor well in an environment that all need to recognise as one which will be more difficult than the one I had the honour to serve in as National Treasure of Scouting Ireland.

Niall Walsh National Treasurer

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

29

“The biggest issue for Scouting Ireland in the current environment is the management of cash flow ” - Niall Walsh, National Treasurer

Report of the National Spiritual, Religious, Advisory Panel when matters were referred to the Panel. The understanding was that spirituality would continue to be an integral part of Scouting Ireland as it had been in its constituent Associations, but that it would need to be done in a more inclusive and creative way than it was possibly done prior to the formation of Scouting Ireland, and that NSRAP would be called on to advise on such matters. It was further thought that the members of NSRAP would from time to time, be called on to serve on a particular committee, in order to assist and to advise.

Members of Panel Church of Ireland representative:

Methodist Representative: Presbyterian Representative:

Roman Catholic Representative: Society of Friends Representative:

Rev. Gillian Wharton – Chairperson Vacant Rev. Mary Hunter – Secretary Fr. David Kenneally Pat ÓSúilleabháin – Programme

There seem to be differing views as to what the role of The National Spiritual and Religious Panel is and should be, and NSRAP met with NTPIC in June to discuss same:

Other attendees at NSRAP meetings: Brian Meyer, Karol Quinn (Staff).

From that meeting it emerged that there needs to be: • A clear description about what NSRAP understands its role to be • A clear description of what Scouting Ireland understands the role of NSRAP to be

Membership of Panel

Sadly, in March 2009, The Rev. Vanessa Wyse-Jackson, the Methodist Church Representative, had to retire from the Panel on health grounds. A replacement representative has been requested from the Methodist Church.

Key Spiritual/Religious Issues for Scouting Ireland

The Relationship between Scouting Ireland the National Spiritual and Religious Advisory Panel and the Role of the NSRAP

NSRAP feels that the key issues in the area of spirituality and religion for Scouting Ireland are:

The Panel has been concerned since its inception in 2004, as to how it can best serve Scouting Ireland. Some of the NSRAP members have had little or no Scouting experience, whilst others have had extensive Scouting experience. When originally asked to serve on the Panel, it was assumed that as it was entitled an “advisory panel”, that its role was to advise

• • •

How to make Scouting Ireland more inclusive in its practice and outworking at all levels To find a way forward which develops the spiritual needs of today’s youth To continue to struggle with the religious observance issues.

Spirituality

The members of the National Spiritual and Religious Advisory Panel are clearly of the opinion and united in their belief that the development of young people’s spiritual life is of fundamental importance to the future of Scouting Ireland.

This is distinct from religious observance but closely linked.

Spirituality is the fostering of ethical and moral principles and life philosophies, which enable the Scouts, of all ages to grow and mature into responsible, caring young people and adults. It is integral to every aspect of the Scouting Ireland programme at every level and in every activity.

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

31

Religious Observance •

•

•

•

The importance of religious observance is recognised

by NSRAP. However since different religions and Christian denominations have different requirements regarding religious observance NSRAP cannot speak with one voice on this subject.

We are each concerned that Scouting Ireland does not always build into its weekend programmes an element of religious observance, which is both achievable and accessible, e.g. a full weekend programme which includes the times of local church services but arranges other activities at the same time is simply paying lip service to religious observance. Similarly a full weekend programme which sets aside say an hour for religious observance without considering if this is feasible for local churches and clergy is equally inadequate.

NSRAP recognises the difficulty of enabling religious observances in a multi-cultural and multidenominational setting and urges Scouting Ireland to seek ways of moving forward inclusively.

NSRAP would ask Scouting Ireland to explore ways in which Scouting activities might be seen to be integral to local communities through involvement with the local churches.

Spiritual Development/Religious Observance

NSRAP would encourage Scouting Ireland to work inclusively for the spiritual development of young people where it is possible. When religious observance becomes an issue NSRAP recommends a courteous agreement to differ.

The danger that NSRAP sees emerging is a failure to develop the spiritual dimension because of the difficulties surrounding religious observance and we believe this to be detrimental to the principles of Scouting Ireland.

As with so much of the Scouting Ireland programme spirituality and religious observance are best modelled by Scouters. If best practice is modelled from the top down gradually the principles of both spiritual development and religious observance will infuse the whole organisation.

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

NTPIC

In an Association where respect is earned and positions of responsibility such as the National Officers, are decided by the members, NSRAP is concerned that its Chairperson is the only member of the National Team who is not elected to the Team, but is there by virtue of being the Chairperson of NSRAP. There is concern that this gives rise to a question of credibility. There is also concern as to how the time given by the members of NSRAP to Scouting Ireland can best serve the Association, and at the same time, being more integrated into the Association.

Gillian Wharton Chairperson, National Spiritual and Religious Advisory Panel

“The members of NSRAP are clearly of the opinion and united in their belief that the development of young people’s spiritual life is of fundamental importance to the future of Scouting Ireland’”

- Gillian Wharton, Chairperson, National Spiritual Religious Advisory Panel

Report from the North Eastern Province Programme

Keeping up the momentum from Jamboree 2008 became the focus for the Province from the autumn of 2008. Indeed this momentum led the Province to renewing our Provincial Development Plan for the next three years. Every Scout County and Team within the Province came together to develop the plan and continue our promise of delivering Better Scouting to more Young People. The plan was launched by the Chief Scout in June 2009 at our Provincial Meeting in Navan. We also hosted a conference for the Group Leaders within the Province in February which was well attended and hugely positive.

The North Eastern Province has 7 Scout Counties with 74 Scout Groups and a current youth membership of 6164, supported by an adult membership of 1336.

Training

The numbers of participants on Training courses is ever increasing with 967 Scouters having taken part in a training experience during this year. The breakdown of that figure is as follows:

Training Course

No. Trained

Fundamentals

130

Child Protection

494

Beaver Scout Essentials

49

Cub Scout Essentials

39

Scout Essentials

45

Scouting Leadership

30

Beaver Scout Slumber Nights

50

Cub Pack Holiday

43

Troop Camps

30

Venture Scout Workshops

20*

Group Leader

37

Total Trained

967

*In addition to the 20 Scouters who took part in the Venture Scout Workshops course, we also had an additional 42 youth participants who made the event a very memorable one. The course was a Provincial initiative that was intended to kick start the Scouting year for Venture Scout Units within the Province which certainly proved successful and is an initiative we intend to repeat.

34

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

In the run up to the agreement of the development plan, the Province continued with its work by running a series of Programme Workshops in Carrickmacross, Brackenstown, Mullingar and Navan. These workshops were very well received and are something the Province will endeavour to continue to deliver into the future. Last year also saw the Province running 3 programme events, the Provincial Beaver Scout Day, a Scout Night Activity and the first Provincial Youth Forum.

Provincial Management Support Team

Provincial Treasurer – Vincent Stanley Provincial Secretary – James O’Toole Provincial Training Coordinator – Declan McCann Provincial Programme Coordinator – Allan Mathews & Brian Murtagh Provincial Adult Resources Committee Representative – Christy McCann Provincial International Representative – Alan Walshe Provincial Scout Representative – Adam Boyle Provincial Venture Scout Representative – Cathal Heaney County Commissioners: Áth Cliath 15 Scout County - David Ashe Fingal Scout County - David Smith Gleann na Boinne Scout County - Greg Boyd Cavan Monaghan Scout County - Seamus O’Reilly Lakelands Scout County - Brendan Martin Louth Scout County - Yvonne Lawrence Réachra Scout County - James O’Toole All together I am very proud of the spirit and approach of the Provincial Management Support Team to deliver on our plan and keep the wheels of local Scouting ever moving.

Development

• •

Initiatives and record numbers through training all lead to increased quality of Scouting and numbers of Scouts.

Michael J. Lawlor Sean Fahey - 179th Dublin, Huntstown

Order of Cu Chulainn

The 2009 census showed a 6.14% increase in youth membership and an 7.39% increase in adult membership over 2008 in the North Eastern Scout Province.

The Province also welcomed 3rd Cavan (Virginia), 9th Louth (Ardee) and 3rd Westmeath (Delvin) as newly opened Groups during the year.

Throughout the Province we continue to develop our campsite infrastructure. One of the biggest of these projects should come on stream next year when Castle Saunderson will open its doors to Scouts, not alone from our Province and Country, but from all over the World. This will be a great day for Scouting Ireland and the North Eastern Province. Other Campsites in the Province are continually developing and are been well managed locally by local Groups or Counties.

Portlick, Drogheda campsite, Carrickmacross campsite at Dun a Ri again have seen further development in the last 12 months and with Ballybay and other new sites coming on stream the Province is lucky with the high class camping facilities available to our members.

•

Kevin Rowan - 15th Dublin, 9th Port of Dublin, Malahide

We would also like to congratulate the members of 12th Dublin,5th Port of Dublin, Dollymount Sea Scout Group that officially re-opened their Scout Den ‘The Crows Nest’, following a multi-million euro development.

Finally

I look forward to the new year and the challenges that implementing the One Programme presents within the Province. We are working hard to make this as smooth a transition as possible for all of our Groups and Scout Counties. I note with a smile that you can’t spell ‘ONE’ without ‘NE’ and that the ‘North Eastern’ is ready to be at the heart of this great project!

Jimmy Cunningham Provincial Commissioner, North Eastern Province

Provincial Congratulations Are Offered To; Chief Scouts Awards: • •

Karen Grimes - 2nd Dublin, 16th Port of Dublin, Skerries Emma O’Hanrahan - 2nd Dublin, 16th Port of Dublin, Skerries

Explorer Belt Awards • • • • • •

Matthew Flood - 1st Meath, Navan Cian O’Mahony - 1st Meath, Navan Sean McKiernan - 120th Dublin, Portmarnock Tomas Bell - 120th Dublin, Portmarnock Cian Dillon - 120th Dublin, Portmarnock Brian Higgins - 120th Dublin, Portmarnock

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

35

“I look forward to the new year and the challenges that implementing the One Programme presents within the Province.”

- Jimmy Cunningham, Provincial Commissioner, North Eastern Province

Report from the South East Province

The Goal of the Province as set out in its’ Development Plan is to, through its Scout Counties, achieve the aim of Scouting Ireland, therefore offering the highest possible standard of Scouting to the maximum sustainable number of young people across the Scout Province.

Training

As I write my final report as Provincial Commissioner for the South East Scout Province, let me start by commending everyone who has supported me in my tenure as Provincial Commissioner, and contributed to the development of Scouting in the Province during this time.

Presented below is an analysis of the training undertaken in the Province during 2008/2009. Participation in training courses is ever increasing and with 1,039 participants in the year attending a training experience on one of 47 courses, this is something that the South East Province is very proud of.

The South East Scout Province consists of seven Scout Counties; Cill Dara, Carlow/Kilkenny, Slieve Bloom, Waterford, South Kildare, Wexford and Cill Mhaintain. There are 96 Groups with 320 active programme Sections.

At the end of September 2009 it is estimated that was 7,100 Youth Members and 1,400 Adult Members in the Province.

Presented below is an analysis by Scout County and secondly

by Programme Section of estimated (E) membership numbers at September 2009 compared to January 2008.

Youth Membership by Scout County

County

Sept 09 (E)

Jan 2008

Increase

Growth Rate

Cill Dara

1,070

885

185

20.9%

Cill Mhaintain

1,200

896

304

25.3%

Carlow/ Kilkenny

870

805

65

8.1%

South Kildare

1,130

905

225

24.9%

Slieve Bloom

900

805

95

11.8%

Wexford

860

740

120

16.2%

Waterford

1,070

982

88

9.0%

Total

7,100

6,018

1,082

18.0%

Jan 2008

Increase

•

Growth Rate

Beaver Scouts

1,780

1,549

231

14.9%

Cub Scouts

2,770

2,390

380

15.9%

Scouts

2,230

1,834

396

21.6%

Venture Scouts

320

245

75

30.6%

Total

7,100

6,018

1,082

18.0%

No. Trained

Child Protection

19

380

Fundamentals

7

159

Section Essentials

4

86

Overnights

4

93

Scouting Leadership

2

36

County Team Training

4

25

Group Leader

1

34

Skills Training (Provincial)

1

76

Skills Training (County)

5

150

Total

47

1,039

2008/2009 was a busy year programme wise due in no small part to the efforts of Provincial and County Programme Teams in running numerous events across the Province and in providing much needed programme support to Groups. Some of the highlights of the year included:

• Sept 09 (E)

No. of Courses

Programme

Youth Membership by Section

County

Training Course

• •

•

6 Venture Scouts from the 5th Kildare Clane did the Province proud at Roverway 2009 in Iceland.

They were Liam Nielsen, Stephen Reynolds, Jane Carey, Rebecca Egan, Colin Lowry and Anita Regucka-Kwasnik.

The Provincial Scout and Venture Scout Youth Fora held in Mount Melleray, this significantly improved representation of the Province at the National Youth Fora held in Larch Hill The Provincial Sea Scout/Water Activities Weekend in Lough Dan Continuing involvement of several members from the Province in the development of the New Programme.

Seven Troops represented the Province at the Phoenix. An excellent performance was put in by all with 3rd/7th/13th De La Salle (Gold and 1st), 17th/20th/30th St.Pauls’ (Gold and 3rd),

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

37

•

•

Ferrybank (Silver and 9th), 6th Tipperary (Silver), 7th Laois (Silver), 4th Kildare (Silver), 9th Kildare (Silver) and 13th Kildare (Bronze).

Venture Scout Challenge: 22 of the 44 Participants were from the Province with representation from the 1st Kildare, 1st/10th Kildare, 4th Kildare and the 3rd Offaly. All South East Venture Scouts earned the certificate, badge and woggle.

Some 550 Youth and 150 Scouters from 28 Groups experienced foreign camps during the year. Places visited included France, Switzerland, Austria, England, Scotland, USA, Wales, Czech Republic, Belgium and Italy.

Chief Scouts Awards: • • • •

Yann Donnelly - 1st Kilkenny Christopher Moriarty-Pearson – 1st Celbridge/3rd Kildare Conor Stewart – 6th Kilkenny Cian O’Hogartaigh - 3rd/7th/13th De La Salle, Waterford

Explorer Belt Awards • • • • •

Anna Louise Duggan – 1st/10th Kildare Shelagh Letford – 1st/10th Kildare Seamus Murphy – 5th Carlow Town Ari Downey – 8th Waterford Ben Harte – 8th Waterford

Provincial Management Support Team Provincial Treasurer – Brendan Doherty Provincial Secretary – Caroline Healy Provincial Training Coordinator – Ollie Kehoe Provincial Programme Coordinator – David Clerkin Provincial Adult Resources Committee Representative – John Watmore Provincial International Representative – Brian Gray Provincial Scout Representative – Mark Bailey, Tara Fennelly and Claire Murphy Provincial Venture Scout Representative – Mark Guinan

County Commissioners: Cill Dara Scout County – Martine Phelan Slieve Bloom Scout County - James Marks Wexford Scout County – David McCann South Kildare Scout County – Declan Hendrick Cill Mhaintain Scout County – Majella Myler Carlow-Kilkenny Scout County – John Watmore Waterford Scout County – Brian Fanning

Development

The Province has experienced a growth rate in youth membership averaging 10.33% p.a over the last 3 years. This growth has been experienced across the Province with higher growth rates being experienced in the Scout and Venture Scout Sections.

On top of this much hard work has taken place to deliver the highest standard of Scouting across all our Scout Groups; strong and vibrant Scout Counties are key to the supporting of this part of the objective. The South East is fortunate to now have seven strong Scout Counties with seven excellent County Teams.

Development work has continued on the Provincial Campsite at Inistioge, Kilkenny.

Welcome back to the 15th Offaly, Cloghan who restarted with a Cub Pack and Scout Troop in 2009 after a five year break.

Provincial Congratulations Are Offered To; Order of Cu Chulainn • •

Sean Power – 4th Kildare, Naas Annette Jennings – South Kildare Scout County

Well done to the 1st Kilkenny on the opening of their newly refurbished Scout Den. Congratulations to Kevin Murphy of 5th Carlow on his election in March 2009 to the NMC as an Ordinary Member.

Finally

Finally, as we look back on an excellent 2009 let us remember the Scouters and family members from the Province that have gone to their eternal resting place. Our prayers and best wishes are with your families.

Francis Minogue, Provincial Commissioner, South East Province

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

“The South East is fortunate to now have seven strong Scout Counties with seven excellent County Teams.”

- Francis Minogue, Provincial Commissioner, South East Province

Report from the Southern Province

It is a pleasure for me to set out my Annual Report as Provincial Commissioner for the Southern Province.

The Scouting year 2008/2009 was another exciting one in the Southern Province. Scouting activities increased across the province during the year both at Group and County level.

The Southern Province consists of nine Scout Counties, broken into 95 Scout Groups. This translates into 5,554 Youth Members and 1,264 Scouters.

County Commissioners Cois Laoi Scout County - Brendan Lynch (Term Ended September ’09) Cois Laoi Scout County - Mary Waters (Appointed September ’09) Cork South Scout County - Tony Nation North Cork Scout County - Martin Flahive West Cork Scout County - Christopher McSweeney Kerry Scout County - Marian Hurley Limerick Scout County - Bernie Brennan (Term Ended June ’09) Limerick Scout County - Morgan O’Sullivan (Appointed June ’09) Tipperary North Scout County - John Almer (Term Ended May ’09) Tipperary North Scout County - John Ryan (Appointed May ’09) Tipperary South (Cois Suire) Scout County - Sheila Power Lee Valley Scout County - Lucy Kay

Training

The Provincial Training Team hosted 19 courses this year providing a training experience to 384 adult members.

The breakdown of that figure is as follows: No. of Courses

Training Course

No. Trained

Essential

5

104

Fundamental

6

81

Child Protection

7

135

Scouting Leadership

1

36

Woodbadge Projects completed

28

Programme

The 2009 Phoenix Challenge was coordinated by Cois Laoi Scout County and was based in Mt. Melleray. Well done to all on a great event.

Development

The 2009 census showed a 3.87% increase in youth membership and an 8.12% increase in adult membership over 2008 in the Southern Province.

We welcome the following Groups & Sections into Scouting Ireland;

Provincial Management Support Team: Provincial Treasurer – Mary O’Regan Provincial Secretary – Sheila McCarthy Provincial Training Coordinator – Enda Downey Provincial Programme Coordinator – Paudy O’Brien Provincial Adult Resources Committee – Barry McInerney Provincial Development – Denis Kirby Provincial Scout Representative – Eloann Sheehan Provincial Venture Scout Representative – Shauna O’Brien

Cois Laoi • Farranree - Beaver Scouts & Scouts • Midleton & Glanmire (second pack) Cub Scouts • Watergrasshill – Cub Scouts and Scouts Cork South • Passage West – Beaver Scouts • Carrigaline – Venture Scouts & Rover Scouts • Crosshaven Beaver Scouts – Re-opened North Cork • Kanturk – Scouts • Mallow – Beaver Scouts & Scouts

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

West Cork • Skibbereen – Cub Scouts Kerry • •

Milltown – Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scout Sections Derrynane – Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts

Limerick • Hospital – Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scout Sections • Murroe Group Re-opened • Rathkeale Group Re-opened Tipperary North • Thurles – Beaver Scouts & Cub Scouts • Cashel – Scout Section Lee Valley • Ballincollig – (second) Scout Section

Provincial Congratulations Are Offered To; Chief Scouts Awards: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aoife Moroney - 1/4/22/32 Tipperary Kevin McGrath - 8/19 Cork Isobel Neenan - 74 Cork Mary Quigley - 74 Cork Máire Fitzgerald - 109 Cork Danielle O’Sullivan - 42 Limerick Sarah Coffey - 42 Limerick Margaret Tobin - 24 Tipperary Amy Mansell - 18/19 Fermoy Ciara Campion - 18/19 Fermoy Eolann Sheehan - 18/19 Fermoy Ruairi Nealon - 34 Limerick Rachel Walsh - 7th Tipperary

Explorer Belt Awards • • • • • • • • • • • •

Orlaith Crowther – 55th Cork Emma Crowther – 55th Cork Evan Causer – 2nd Cork Andrew Shortt – 5th/10th Limerick Rory Burns – 38th/40th Cork Ian Falvey – 38th/40th Cork Brian O’Donnell – 7th Tipperary Kevin Fitzgerald – 7th Tipperary Conor Shemeld – 2nd Cork Robert O’Callaghan – 2nd Cork Barry Keane – 5th Cork Max Vizard – 109th Cork

Order of Cu Chulainn • • •

Bernadette Brennan, Limerick Scout County John O’Toole, 8th Kerry Maurice O’Sullivan, 3rd/12th Cork

Finally

I would encourage everyone involved to keep up the Scouting Spirit and to continue providing Scouting to our Youth Members.

Pat Roche Provincial Commissioner, Southern Province

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

41

“The Committees in the various Campsites are doing a great job and are to be congratulated.”

- Patrick Roche, Provincial Commissioner, Southern Province

Report from the Western Province It is a pleasure for me to set out my final Annual Report as Provincial Commissioner for the Western Province.

The year 2008/2009 was another successful one following on and building on the success of Jamboree 2008.

The Western Province consists of five Scout Counties, broken into 43 Scout Groups. This translates into 3016 Youth Members and 740 Scouters.

Training

Provincial Management Support Team

The Provincial Training Team hosted 25 courses this year providing a training experience to 473 adult members.

The breakdown of that figure is as follows:

Training Course

No. of Courses

No. Trained

Scouting Fundamentals

4

95

Beaver Essentials

2

26

Cub Essentials

2

33

Scout Essentials

2

38

Beaver Slumber

1

23

Pack Holiday

1

9

Troop Camp

1

15

Venture Expeditions

1

10

Scouting Leadership

1

4

Child Protection Awareness 10

220

Total

473

25

The PMST met 4 times and hosted a very successful Commissioner/Group Leader Convention, Provincial Activity Day & Youth Forum for Scouts & Venture Scouts.

Provincial Treasurer – Joe Doherty Provincial Secretary – Annie Keith Provincial Training Coordinator – Anne Geraghty Provincial Programme Coordinator – Frank Lee Provincial Adult Resources Committee Representative – John Egan Provincial International Representative – Henry Doherty Provincial Scout Representative – Simon Cauldfield-Sriklad Provincial Venture Scout Representative – Roisin Collier County Commissioners: Galway Scout County - Tommy Flaherty Clare Scout County - Fiona Staunton Mayo Scout County - Colm Dunne Lough Keel Scout County - Damien O Brien Yeats Scout County - Willie Murphy

Programme

The Province presented all sections that participated in ‘annual summer camp’ with a Camping Certificate. 56 sections from 29 Groups held ‘annual camps’ this summer.

‘Jamóige’ was the best yet; that was the verdict of our Beaver Scouts & Cub Scouts who attend the sun drenched Dalgan Park for the June Bank Holiday. It was a long way from the disappointment of the weather at Punchestown. All our counties were represented at jamÓige.

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

43

Communications

The Provincial magazine ‘The Western Scout’ was printed again this year and it continues to be a good method of communicating to the Groups in the Province.

Development

The 2009 census showed a 3.9% increase in youth membership and an 7.2% increase in adult membership over 2008 in the Western Province.

We welcome the 3rd Leitrim, Carrick-on-Shannon as a new Group and 7 new sections. We have 3 new Groups coming on stream in 2009/2010.

Provincial Congratulations Are Offered To; Order of Cu Chulainn •

John O’Toole, 1st Galway

Finally

What we do makes a difference in our youth members lives and gives them memories that will last a lifetime.

Julie M. Malone, Provincial Commissioner, Western Province

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

“We do make a difference in our youth members lives and give them memories that will last a lifetime.”

- Julie Malone, Provincial Commissioner, Western Province

Report from the Dublin Scout Province Local Scouting in the Dublin Province continues to develop, to change and to meet the challenges within local communities and society. The reports that follow cannot do justice to the enthusiasm and dedication that our adult volunteers demonstrate week in and week out as they go about their tasks of living and teaching the Scout Law and Promise amongst Groups in the Province.

The Dublin Scout Province consists of nine Scout Counties, broken into 84 Scout Groups. This translates into 5843 Youth Members and 1387 Scouters.

Provincial Management Support Team Training

The Training Programme in the Dublin Scout Province continued at a great pace. During the period from October 2008 to the end of September 2009, 27 Leadership Training Courses were held within a number of Scout Dens in Dublin. 874 Leaders participated in Woodbadge Training. The breakdown of that figure is as follows: No. of Courses

No. Trained

Scouting Fundamentals

4

82

Mod Essentials

2

32

Beaver Essentials

1

14

Cub Essentials

2

28

Scout Essentials

2

26

Venture Essentials

1

20

Beaver Slumber

1

6

Pack Holiday

1

26

Troop Camp

1

26

CPA

9

150

Mod CPA

1

21

Group Leader

1

29

Scouting Leadership

1

32

Training Course

Woodbadge Projects completed

County Commissioners: Dun Laoghaire Scout County - Kieran Kelly Cois Farriage Scout County - Mark Blake Tolka Scout County - Betty Barry Dublinia Scout County – Alan Carroll (Retired January 2009) Dublinia Scout County - Pat McCartin Cluain Toirc Scout County - Aidan Smith Mountpelier Scout County - Anna Davy Three Rock Scout County - James Carroll Dodder Scout County - Karen Scully Liffey West Scout County - Brian Smith

17

Programme

This year we carried out a survey on Summer Camp activity in the Province. 2395 Scouts plus 595 Scouters in the DSP spent 869 nights camping/hostelling/slumbering this summer. Note that this does not account for the additional weekend camps/ hostels/slumbers which also take place.

46

Provincial Treasurer – Jennifer Simpson Provincial Secretary – Garrett Flynn Provincial Training Coordinator – Gay Davoren Provincial Programme Coordinator – Conor Mc Keon Provincial Adult Resources Committee Representative – Vacant Provincial Communications Representative – Patrick Costello Provincial International Representative – Vacant Provincial Scout Representative – Daniel Aughey Provincial Venture Scout Representative – Anthony Greene Provincial Scout Representative – Eoin Kearns (Retired April 2009) Provincial Venture Scout Representative – Niamh Hughes (Retired April 2009)

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

Development

The 2009 census showed a 5.35% increase in youth membership and a 5.31% increase in adult membership over 2008 in the Dublin Scout Province. A new Group opened in Liffey West Scout County 182nd Dublin, Newcastle, with a Beaver and Cub Section in June 2009. In addition within existing Scout Groups, there are indicators of an increase in youth membership moving into next year with 280 Bring a Pal scarves applied for.

Explorer Belt Awards The following Groups opened additional sections: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

18th Dub Santry Venture Scouts 130th Dub Priorswood Beaver Scouts 66th Dub Clontarf Venture scouts 127th Dub Drumcondra Venture Scouts 1st Dub Fairview Cub Pack (reopened) 94th Dub Walkinstown Rover Scouts 78th Dub Ballyfermot Cub Scouts and Sea Scouts 42nd Dub Dolphin’s Barn Scouts(closed Sept 09) 42nd Dub Dolphin’s Barn Cub Scouts 44th/93rd Dub Crumlin Venture Scouts 32nd Dub Rathgar Venture Scouts 115th Dub Ballinteer Scouts (2nd troop) 125th Dub Old Bawn Cub Scouts

Provincial Congratulations Are Offered To; Chief Scouts Awards: • • • • • •

Anna Keville – 35th Dublin Caitriona Cronin – 35th Dublin Serena Salmon – 35th Dublin Shauna Russell – 35th Dublin Adam Webster – 158th Dublin Lydia Blake – 52nd Dublin

• • • • • • • •

Anthony Greene – 94th Dublin Stephen Byrne – 94th Dublin Niamh Hughes – 158th Dublin Dzifa Hollwey – 54th Dublin Aoife Power – 54th Dublin Ben Collopy – 94th Dublin Robert Matthews – 137th Dublin Liam Brophy – 137th Dublin

Order of Cu Chulainn • • • • •

Sheila Duffy – 180th Dublin, Lucan Tony Roe, 137th Dublin, Balally Donal O’Hannigan, 191st Dublin, (Deaf Group) James Whelan, 94th Dublin, Walkinstown Niall Walsh, National Treasurer

At the City of Dublin Youth Services Board Volunteer Achievement Awards, nine Scouters were amongst the recipients and at the Dublin City Council Volunteer Awards many Scouters received Volunteer Pins and one Scouter became one of 10 custodians of the City.

Finally

We look forward to another exciting scout year and send you our best wishes.

Anne Smithers, Provincial Commissioner, Dublin Scout Province.

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

47

“We look forward to another exciting scout year” - Anne Smithers, Provincial Commissioner, Dublin Scout Province

Report from the Northern Province The Province is getting ready for a Provincial camp in Gosford, County Armagh in May 2010. Final plans are falling into place and bookings are flooding in!

During the year 2008/2009 I completed my first full year as Provincial Commissioner and it was a busy year both for the Province and for me.

Provincial Management Support Team Provincial Treasurer – Mandy McCann Provincial Secretary – Mo Treacy Provincial Training Coordinator – Kieran Copeland Provincial Programme Coordinator – Grainne Boland Provincial Adult Resources Committee Representative – Mark Allan Provincial International Representative – vacant Provincial Scout Representative – Sinead Murray Provincial Venture Scout Representative – Stephen Pearson Provincial Support Officer – Kevin Ferguson Group Support Facilitator – James McGuinness Group Support Facilitator – Sinclair Trotter

Without doubt, the highlight of the year for the Northern Province was hosting National Council in the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, County Down over the weekend of 28th & 29th March, 2009. A lot of hard work and planning went into making the weekend the great success that it was and the numbers attending National Council in Newcastle were the biggest ever recorded, making all the hard work worthwhile.

The Northern Province has 5 Scout Counties with 59 Scout Groups and a current youth membership of 3364, supported by an adult membership of 770.

County Commissioners: Brian Boru Scout County – Joe Corey Dalriada Scout County - George Fleeton Down & Connor Scout County - Jim McIlduff Erne Scout County - Tony Smith Errigal Scout County - John McQueen

Training

During the year, the Province trained 593 Scouters. The following is a list of the courses that were coordinated.

No. Trained

Training Course Fundamentals

54

Child Protection

303

Beaver Scout Essentials

23

Cub Scout Essentials

28

Scout Essentials

11

Scouting Leadership

26

Beaver Scout Slumber Nights

24

Cub Pack Holiday

45

Troop Camps

22

Venture Scout Expeditions

2

Scout Skills

55

Total Trained

593

Communications

The Provincial magazine “Northern News” was compiled every two months and emailed out to all Scouters on the Provincial contact list. It continues to be a good method of communicating to the entire Province and the numbers of Groups who send in news and photos is growing all the time.

Programme

The Northern Province has taken a proactive role in support of the One Programme being launched at National Council 2010.

The Provincial Programme Coordinator, Grainne Boland, has been busy all year running Provincial Programme Meetings to get the latest information on the launch of the new programme out to the Counties. Recently, the Northern Province successfully ran five, One Programme information evenings, which were all attended by large numbers of Scouters.

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

49

Order of Cu Chulainn •

Marie Browne – 11th Belfast

We would also like to congratulate Liam Byrne, 1st /2nd Downpatrick, who received a MBE for services to Scouting this year

Finally

We look forward to another exciting scout year and send you our best wishes.

Wendy Morrow, Provincial Commissioner, Northern Province

Development

The 2009 census showed a 8.48% increase in youth membership and an 8.45% increase in adult membership over 2008 in the Northern Province.

The PMST have been targeting growth within the Province.

Four new Groups have registered this year and the Province would like to welcome them into the Scouting Family; 9th Donegal (Newtowncunningham), Errigal Scout County 1/2/3/ Derry (St. Mary’s, Creggan), Errigal Scout County 6th Fermanagh (Irvingstown), Erne Scout County 14th Fermanagh (Derrylin), Erne Scout County Another 5 potential areas are being targeted by the Support Staff and work has also started in promoting new section growth in existing Groups. To date 4 new sections have opened since September.

Provincial Congratulations Are Offered To; Chief Scouts Awards: • • • •

Caroline Gilliland – 9th Donegal Eoghan Hepburn – 9th Donegal Brian Foley – 9th Donegal Adam Devenney – 3rd Donegal

Explorer Belt Awards • • • •

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Thomas O’Hagan - 12th Armagh John Foster - 1st Armagh David Lavery - 10th Antrim Eamonn McEvoy - 10th Antrim

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

“my first full year as Provincial Commissioner and it was a busy year both for me and for the Province” - Wendy Morrow, Provincial Commissioner, Northern Province,

Overview by the Chief Executive Officer INTRODUCTION

2009 was a relatively uneventful year compared with the huge level of activities in the previous Centenary Year of Scouting.

Nevertheless, some further good incremental progress was made in the continuing expansion and development of Scouting Ireland. The Association approved a new Strategy at National Council in March 2009 for the years 2009 to 2012. This Strategy contains seven key objectives to chart the progress of the Association in the coming years.

Progress continued on Castle Saunderson with the partnership with Cavan County Council proving to be very effective in securing funding of €3.052 million from the European Peace Three Programme managed by the Special EU programme body (SEUPB).

2009 also had an emphasis on growth utilising the ‘Bring a Pal’ and retention 101 recruitment initiatives.

There was also an enhanced professional staff support to the Provinces and this in conjunction with other initiatives has assisted in a 6.5% increase in the membership of the Association.

The Association database had a number of additional features inserted into it in order to make it more user friendly to Groups, Counties, Provincial Management teams and also the Professional Staff.

On a more negative note Scouting Ireland received an 8% decrease in funding from the Youth Service Grant Scheme, however, some of this decrease will be partially offset by the increase in membership numbers.

Scouting IRELANDS STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

A new Strategy for Scouting Ireland was adopted at National Council in March 2009. The Strategy was entitled ‘Laying the Trail to 2012’ and covers the years 2009 to 2012. This Strategy was compiled after considerable work by a Strategy Review Team under the Chairmanship of John Brennan, Chief Commissioner Adult Resources. The Strategy contains seven main objectives as follows: 1.

One Programme 2.

Supporting Adult Volunteers 3.

An Organisation for the 21st Century 4.

Communication (Internal) 5.

Funding and Resources 6.

Membership Increase 7.

Scoutings’ Profile (External) The adoption and implementation of these strategies at all levels of the Association will be crucial to future development and if the progress that has been achieved to date is maintained, the outcomes for Scouting Ireland will indeed be very positive with an enhanced membership, an exciting and progressive new programme and a greater profile amongst the public in Ireland.

CASTLE SAUNDERSON

2009 also saw the retirement of two very long serving members of the staff, Bridie O’Sullivan who retired after 37 years of service and Sean Farrell who retired after 18 years of service.

Two other members of the staff with considerably less length of service also resigned; Eithne Davis and Canice Curtis. All of the retiring members of staff were replaced after recruiting campaigns both external and internal.

52

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

The securing of €3.025 million for the campsite project in Castle Saunderson in the midst of an economic recession both nationally and internationally was a significant coup for the Association and is a testament to the heightened profile and esteem that Scouting Ireland has generated since the advent of new Association in 2003. A number of meetings took place throughout 2008 and considerable administrative work was completed in order to secure contracts for the sale of land to Cavan County Council. These meetings also dealt with the purchase of Rights of Way and land from Coillte and the formulation of a steering Committee, between Cavan County Council, Scouting Ireland and the Northern Ireland Scout Council. This steering Committee is responsible for the supervision and cooperation and synergies for the construction and development of the Campsite on the remaining 34 acres of Castle Saunderson. At the time of writing this report, three bidding contractors have been shortlisted for the construction of the site and the appointment of a successful contractor is imminent. It is anticipated that the construction of the campsite will be completed by the autumn of 2010.

GROWTH IN MEMBERSHIP FIGURES

The emphasis on growth as one of the targets of the new Strategy and initiatives such as ‘Bring a Pal’ and ‘Retention 101’ has yielded an increase of 6.5% in the Associations membership in 2009. The increase was mainly in youth members which increased by 1,759 members or 6%. The increase in adult members was 530 or 8%. The increase at 6% is double the increase in 2008 (3.4%) and is very encouraging.

It is not inconceivable that the membership numbers, which are currently 37,636, will breach the 40,000 mark within the next 2 to 3 years. The provision of additional professional support staff managed by a dedicated Manager for Support Staff working solidly in conjunction the Provincial Management Support Teams has assisted greatly in growing the membership.

Further details on the increase in membership are outlined in the chart attached to this report.

replicated by existing staff in the future. Sean Farrell also retired after 18 years as a professional staff member which was preceded by a lifetime as a volunteer in the Association.

Sean’s devotion to Scouting has been exceptional and is exemplified by his return to Scouting at Group level as a Group Leader and also by his election to the National Management Committee of Scouting Ireland. Two other members of Scouting Ireland staff with shorter service retired also in 2009.

Eithne Davis after one year’s service and Canice Curtis after three years service on the programme staff.

In early 2009, following advertisements to fill the vacancies of Administration Manager in National Office and Manager of Support Staff, two new managers were recruited; Noel O’Connor as Administration Manager in the National Office and Joe Marken as Manager Support Staff. In February, Kevin Ferguson was appointed as full time PSO in the Northern Province and in late September 2009, Brendan Lynch was appointed as Programme Support Officer in the programme unit in National Office.

FUNDING

The Association received a decrease of 8% in funding from the Youth Service Grant scheme, which is administered by the Youth Affairs Section of the office of the Minister of Children and Youth Affairs. This decrease, though not unexpected, will be ameliorated by the 6.5% increase in the membership of the Association. The current recession and the parlous state of Government finance plus the diminishing opportunities for funding from other sources, represents a very significant challenge to the Association in order to keep its finances on an even footing. The Association will need to secure additional funding from other resources and monitor expenditure for the foreseeable future. If the level of growth in membership can be maintained at the same level as this

ASSOCIATIONS DATABASE

A number of enhancements to the Associations database were completed during the year. These enhancements were designed to make the system more user-friendly, particularly at end user level at Group, County and Provincial level. The improved functionality has also been of benefit to staff, not alone in the National Office but also at Provincial level.

The enhancements have centred on improving inputting, on vetting details, award details and start dates for adults in the Association. As the database is web based, this grants continuous access to the membership every day throughout the year and facilitates access to relevant information which supports better management and supply of information which hopefully can contribute to better organisation and management at all levels in the Association.

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

RETIREMENT OF LONG SERVING MEMBERS OF STAFF Bridie O’Sullivan retired after 37 years of devoted service to the Association. Her contribution to the development of Scouting Ireland has been immense and it is very unlikely that her length of service and continuity in the Association will be

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

53

year’s growth this may generate adequate funds to maintain the level of support and services to the membership of the Association. The provision of any funds from other sources will act as a bulwark for any possible further decrease in funding from the Youth Service Grant Scheme in the next 2 to 3 years.

would also like to record my thanks and appreciation to the members of the NTPIC for their support and guidance throughout the year. I further wish to acknowledge the passing of former members of the Association in 2009 and in particular the death of Joe Lawlor in September, a former Chief Scout of Scouting Ireland(CSI) whose work, dedication and devotion to Scouting has made a lasting impact and has contributed to the vibrant Association that we have in Scouting Ireland today.

Eamonn Lynch C.E.O.

CONCLUSION

Although the landscape in the economy has been very bleak in 2009, nevertheless, 2009 was another year of solid if uneventful progress in the development of the Association.

The heightened profile generated by the Centenary Year celebrations and the securing of very significant funding for the Castle Saunderson Project are key indicators that the Association is making a wider impact in key areas in the community and business sector in Ireland. The enhanced management of staff in the Association in 2009 is also yielding better support services to the membership and contributing greatly to the increase in membership growth of 6.5% in 2009. The new Strategy also outlines a roadmap for the development of the Association in the next three years and sets challenging but achievable targets for the Association in that time span.

Overall, despite the looming economic recession, the Association is in good shape and is equipped and sufficiently robust to meet the challenges in the coming years.

I wish to record my appreciation and gratitude to all of my professional staff colleagues, without whose loyalty, support and commitment ;the high level of support to the membership of our Association could not be achieved. I

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Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

Beaver Scouts

Cub Scouts

Scouts

Venture Scouts

Total Youth

Total Adult

Total Members

2008 Figures

7051

11539

8661

1636

28887

6460

35347

2009 Figures

7486

12010

9397

1753

30646

6990

37636

Beaver Scouts

Cub Scouts

Scouts

Venture Scouts

Total Youth

Total Adult

Total Members

DUBLIN Scout PROVINCE

1072

2125

2112

534

5843

1387

7230

NORTH Eastern PROVINCE

1465

2456

1923

320

6164

1336

7500

NORTHERN PROVINCE

1026

1306

868

164

3364

770

4134

SOUTH East PROVINCE

1673

2613

2142

277

6705

1493

8198

SOUTHERN PROVINCE

1429

2247

1564

314

5554

1264

6818

WESTERN PROVINCE

821

1263

788

144

3016

740

3756

TOTAL 2009

7486

12010

9397

1753

30646

6990

37636

TOTAL 2008

7051

11539

8661

1636

28887

6460

35347

Difference

435

471

736

117

1759

530

2289

Percentage

6.17%

4.10%

8.50%

7.15%

6.09%

8.20%

6.48%

““Overall, despite the looming economic recession, the Association is in good shape and is equipped and sufficiently robust to meet the challenges in the coming years”” - Eamonn Lynch, CEO,

Scouting IRELAND Members of National Management Committee

Michael John Shinnick, Michael Devins, Kiernan Gildea, Niall Walsh, John Brennan, Gillian Wharton, Anne Smithers, Francis Minogue, Pat Roche, Wendy Morrow, Jimmy Cunningham, Julie Malone, Joseph Marken (Resigned, December 2008), Ann Foley (Appointed June 2009), Ciara Higgins, Noel O’Connor (Resigned, December 2008), Richard Scriven, Pat O’Connor, Jamie Gorman, Kevin Murphy (Elected March 2009), Sean Farrell (Elected March 2009) Joe Boland (Appointed April 2009).

National Team for Policy Implementation and Co-ordination

Michael John Shinnick, Chief Scout, Michael Devins, National Secretary, Niall Walsh, National Treasurer, Kiernan Gildea, Chief Commissioner (Youth Programme), John Brennan, Chief Commissioner (Adult Resources), Gillian Wharton, Chairperson National Spiritual Religious Advisory Panel.

Members and Directors of the Scout Foundation, Scout Association of Ireland Trust Corporation Limited and Scouting trust property limited (who have held office in 2009)

Niall Walsh, Terry Kiely, Mark Edmund Doyle, Aidan Brennan, Michael Devins, Kiernan Gildea (Resigned from Scout Foundation March 2009), John Reid, Michael John Shinnick, Rev. Gillian Wharton (Resigned from Scout Foundation March 2009), John Brennan (Resigned from Scout Foundation Mar 2009), Mark O’Callaghan.

Provincial Commissioners

Anne Smithers, Julie Malone, Wendy Morrow, Francis Minogue, Jimmy Cunningham, Pat Roche.

Staff

Eamonn Lynch

CEO

Noel O’Connor Bridie O’Sullivan Rose Doyle Marie Dalton Neil Mahony Philomena Stapleton Oladoyin Durojaiye Margaret Moore Lewy Grainne Quinn

Administration Manager Administrative Officer (Retired: May 2009) Administrative Assistant (National Secretary) Registrar PR, Information / Communications Support Officer Child Protection Officer / Risk Management Legal Governance / Property Administration Support Officer Administrative Assistant (Chief Scout / Insurance / Adult Resources / Awards Support) Receptionist

Fionan Lawlor Barbara Hughes Allan Bourke

Financial Controller Accounts assistant Assistant Accountant (Contract Ended: December 2008)

Colm Kavanagh Karol Quinn Brendan Lynch Canice Curtis Gillian Keogh

Team Leader Programme Development Programme Development Officer Programme Development Officer Programme Development Advisor (Resigned: July 2009) Programme Development Administrator

Damien O’Sullivan James Usher

Support Officer, Campsites and Facilities Warden/Manager Larch Hill National Campsite

Joseph Marken

Manager Support Staff

Group Support Facilitators Jimmy O’Donnell (part-time) Ruth Hughes (part-time) James Fox Niamh Woods Daniel Habermann Caroline Marks (part-time) Sinclair Trotter (part-time) Eithne Davis (part-time)

James McGuinness (part-time) Austin Dempsey (part-time)

Southern Province Southern Province North Eastern Province Dublin Scout Province Western Province South East Province Northern Province Northern Province (Resigned: January 2009) Northern Province South East Province

Design and layout by Neil Mahony

Provincial Support Officers Neil Collins Joe Doherty Caroline Healy Gerry Hickey Geraldine Smith Kevin Ferguson

Southern Province Western Province South East Province North Eastern Province Dublin Scout Province Northern Province

Scout Foundation Northern Ireland Mo Treacy John Mieklham

Management Support Officer Administrative Manager

Scouting Ireland, Annual Report 2009

57